tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66364693609778565652018-12-28T01:39:18.805-08:00Alton On The SpotAlton On The Spot puts you on the spot, with what's hot and what's not in the wonderful world of art and creativity. From the galleries and the museums, the runways and the airwaves, the streets and the stages - I seek the beauty of inspiration, high and low, anywhere and everywhere I can find it.Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-67158285846918563982016-05-12T07:42:00.001-07:002016-05-12T07:42:15.888-07:00Trigger-Happy Texas. ART Gun in Apollo Magazine<div class="masthead clearfix"> <div class="masthead__logo"> <a class="masthead__logo-link" href="https://www.apollo-magazine.com/"><img alt="Apollo - The International Arts Magazine" class="masthead__svg" src="https://www.apollo-magazine.com/content/themes/apollo/assets/images/apollo-masthead.svg" /></a><h1 class="article-header__title">Gun sculpture silenced in trigger-happy Texas</h1><div class="article-header__meta"> <div class="meta__author article-header__author"><a href="https://www.apollo-magazine.com/author/rakewell/" rel="author" title="Posts by Rakewell">Rakewell</a></div><div class="meta__date article-header__date">12 May 2016</div></div><div class="featured-image"> <img alt="" class="featured-image__img" height="600" src="https://www.apollo-magazine.com/content/uploads/2016/04/Rakewell-900x600-2-2.jpg" width="900" /> </div><div class="article-content"> <div class="sharing"><br /></div><article> <div class="article-content article-text article-text--post"> <em>Introducing Rakewell, Apollo’s wandering eye on the art world. Look out for </em><em>regular posts taking a rakish perspective on art and museum stories.</em><br /><br /> Rakewell’s thousand-yard stare is today directed towards Houston, where student artist Alton DuLaney has found himself in the line of fire over a recent sculpture. The work in question – a framed revolver with the word ‘ART’ printed on a flag protruding from its barrel – has reportedly been censored at an exhibition at the Blaffer Art Museum.<br /><br /> According to the <em><a href="http://www.houstonpress.com/news/uh-removes-gun-art-display-from-exhibit-pretty-much-making-artists-point-for-him-8373938">Houston Press</a>, </em>the decision to censor DuLaney’s work was taken by officials from the University of Houston, on whose campus the Blaffer is located (it houses the university’s teaching collection). The gun has now been removed from the exhibit, presumably along with the point of the work: namely, as DuLaney says, to highlight the prevalence of guns in Texan culture.<br /><br /> <div class="p1"><span class="s1">Oddly enough, the silencing of this work&nbsp;coincides with the passing of the State of Texas’s new ‘campus carry’ law, which, as of August, will allow students at public universities across the Lone Star State to carry concealed guns. Among the institutions where the new law will apply is… the University of Houston! Indeed, back in February, when the law was ratified, UH prepared a slideshow warning faculty members to be ‘careful discussing sensitive topics’, ‘Not “go there” if you sense anger’ and, most astonishingly, to ‘drop certain topics from [their] curriculum’. And although UH has attempted <a href="http://www.houstonpress.com/news/uh-campus-carry-proposal-aims-to-restrict-guns-about-as-much-as-possible-8208583">to limit the terms </a>of the new law – forbidding firear</span><span class="s1">ms in as many buildings and campus spaces as it can – one does rather marvel at the university museum’s decision to interfere with&nbsp;DuLaney’s work.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">&nbsp;</span></div>As the <em>Press</em> reports, UH’s Office of Central Council has said that even if DuLaney had tried to exhibit his, erm, explosive work after the new measures are implemented, it would still have been suppressed&nbsp;– though it has as yet neglected to explain why.<br /><br />At this point, might Rakewell suggest that the censorious officials reconsider their priorities?<br /><br />For more, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apollo-magazine.com/gun-sculpture-silenced-in-trigger-happy-texas/" target="_blank">Apollo International Art Magazine</a>&nbsp; </div></article></div></div></div>Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-51277473849169684492016-05-12T07:38:00.001-07:002016-05-12T07:38:08.760-07:00Pistol Packing Artists Alton DuLaney is "amused" on Fussion.net<h1 class="post-title" id="single-title">University of Houston removes student’s gun art project—just weeks before campus carry law goes into effect<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EabKaL7UDF4/VzSUH-_F62I/AAAAAAAABUc/LmDtButHtXobYr3Bn-gHvkOcZ7jfUQ_IwCLcB/s1600/Fusion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EabKaL7UDF4/VzSUH-_F62I/AAAAAAAABUc/LmDtButHtXobYr3Bn-gHvkOcZ7jfUQ_IwCLcB/s320/Fusion.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ART Gun by Alton DuLaney at center of Texas controversy. 2016.</td></tr></tbody></table></h1><div class="article-content"> The University of Houston has removed a student artist’s project that shows a real gun shooting a banner that says “art”—just weeks before Texas’ new concealed-campus-carry law goes into effect.<br /> <a href="http://www.houstonpress.com/news/uh-removes-gun-art-display-from-exhibit-pretty-much-making-artists-point-for-him-8373938"><em>The Daily Cougar </em>reports</a> that first-year MFA student Alton DuLaney created the piece to make a direct statement on the law, which was <a href="http://kxan.com/2015/06/13/abbott-to-sign-open-carry-campus-carry-into-law/">passed last summer.</a><br /><br /> He then directly contacted the University’s police about whether his piece would be allowed; the police forwarded his inquiry to school administrators. Eventually, the Office of the General Counsel released the following statement:<br /><br /> <div class="speed-bump-wrapper speed-bump-freewheel_instream"><div class="freewheel-ad"> <div class="ad-instream" id="fusion-instream"> <span id="instream"><span id="_fw_container_instream"><span data-height="1" data-width="1" style="display: block; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://2912a.v.fwmrm.net/ad/l/1?s=f039&amp;n=379215%3B379215&amp;t=1463063389943051010&amp;f=&amp;r=379215&amp;adid=13138274&amp;reid=4342632&amp;arid=0&amp;auid=&amp;cn=defaultClick&amp;et=c&amp;_cc=&amp;tpos=&amp;sr=0&amp;cr=" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://5c94f.v.fwmrm.net/ad/g/1?nw=379215&amp;asid=g2706378&amp;cana=13141794&amp;canr=4342611&amp;resp=ad&amp;et=i&amp;cn=defaultImpression&amp;pvrn=RANDOM_NUMBER&amp;cr=;;ptgt=p" style="display: block;" width="1" /></a></span></span></span> </div></div></div>“Under current Texas state law, firearms are forbidden on campus. The fact that they may be exhibited as part of an arts exhibition doesn’t change the analysis.”<br /><br /> In an email, the Cougar said, the school’s chief of police added, “No guns are currently allowed on campus. We do not censor art.”<br /><br /> The piece is now being displayed without the gun.<br /><br /> <div class="image-no-caption alignnone" style="max-width: 100%; width: 558px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="alton dulaney gun art" class="attachment-full" height="313" src="http://i0.wp.com/fusion.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Screen-Shot-2016-05-09-at-9.03.26-AM.png?resize=558%2C313&amp;quality=80&amp;strip=all" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="558" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Censored ART Gun by Alton DuLaney as seen on ABC13 Houston Eyewitness News. 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="element-share-block"><nav class="element-item-share"> <a class="share-link share-link-twitter" data-action="twitter-share-element" data-category="share-events" data-label="http://fusion.net/story/300031/alton-dulaney-houston-gun-art-campus-carry/?element=300036&amp;utm_content=inline_element_desktop" data-socialaction="share" data-socialnetwork="twitter" data-socialtarget="http://fusion.net/story/300031/alton-dulaney-houston-gun-art-campus-carry/?element=300036&amp;utm_content=inline_element_desktop" data-trigger="click" href="https://twitter.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Ffusion.net%2Fstory%2F300031%2Falton-dulaney-houston-gun-art-campus-carry%2F%3Felement%3D300036%26utm_content%3Dinline_element_desktop%26utm_source%3Dtwitter%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_campaign%3Dsocialshare&amp;text=U.%20Houston%20removes%20student%27s%20gun-art%20project%20%E2%80%94%20just%20weeks%20before%20campus-carry%20law%20goes%20live&amp;via=FusionNews" target="_blank"> <span class="icon-twitter-white"> <span></span></span></a><a class="share-link share-link-link" data-action="copy-link-share-event" data-category="share-events" data-trigger="click" href="http://i0.wp.com/fusion.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Screen-Shot-2016-05-09-at-9.03.26-AM.png?resize=558%2C313&amp;quality=80&amp;strip=all" target="_blank"><span class="icon-link"><span><br /></span> </span> </a> </nav></div></div><div class="image-no-caption alignnone" style="max-width: 100%; width: 558px;"><span class="article-image-credit">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="image-no-caption alignnone" style="max-width: 100%; width: 558px;"><span class="article-image-credit">&nbsp;</span></div>DuLaney said he is amused.<br /><br /> “There’s an obvious implication of power that this thing has, that this inanimate object has when combined with ammunition and intent to create damage,” DuLaney <a href="http://www.houstonpress.com/news/uh-removes-gun-art-display-from-exhibit-pretty-much-making-artists-point-for-him-8373938">told <em>Houston Press</em></a>. “So I wanted to create a piece that said all of that, but that was diffused by being cloaked in a statement of art.”<br /> Nine states now have concealed campus carry laws.<br /><br /> “I was hoping my alterations of this piece would transform it and it would be seen strictly as an art piece and then we could be having this conversation,” DuLaney <a href="http://abc13.com/society/campus-police-censor-uh-students-gun-inspired-art/1325501/">told ABC13.</a> “The authorities here on campus felt otherwise. They felt it was still a weapon, even though it had been altered, and couldn’t be included.”<br /><br />Read the whole article at&nbsp;<a href="http://fusion.net/story/300031/alton-dulaney-houston-gun-art-campus-carry/" target="_blank">Fussion.net</a>&nbsp; <br /> </div>Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-77772250392828807352016-05-09T11:49:00.000-07:002016-05-09T11:49:07.791-07:00Straight Shooting! ART Gun on NPR's Texas Standard<div style="text-align: center;">Straight Shooting! ART Gun on Texas Standard</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ttO_IJuyAQQ/VzDaWSMcctI/AAAAAAAABTw/Cp77BQaiiTAMx5u8Kh5tfajHoL3p0P9yACLcB/s1600/TS_brand_2x-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="48" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ttO_IJuyAQQ/VzDaWSMcctI/AAAAAAAABTw/Cp77BQaiiTAMx5u8Kh5tfajHoL3p0P9yACLcB/s320/TS_brand_2x-1.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As heard on these stations across the great state of Texas...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9vUhO2xDRXE/VzDavV4WcKI/AAAAAAAABT0/4EH503CXf28kpSWbMyu8njSPjaITy3e0QCLcB/s1600/COVERAGE-MAP-02-29-20161.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9vUhO2xDRXE/VzDavV4WcKI/AAAAAAAABT0/4EH503CXf28kpSWbMyu8njSPjaITy3e0QCLcB/s320/COVERAGE-MAP-02-29-20161.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="col span_6 section-title "><h1><a href="http://www.texasstandard.org/stories/gun-art-without-the-gun/#">Gun Art, Without the Gun</a></h1>The censorship of the piece has garnered more attention than it would have originally. <br /> <div style="font-size: medium; padding: 0;">By Rhonda Fanning &amp; Laura Rice &nbsp;|&nbsp; May 9, 2016&nbsp; 12:00 pm</div>&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PKeVKRVEWjA/VzDbMzhADKI/AAAAAAAABT8/YKx0BIIbdRIXCtqVBEv-RJYsb7nQaeyTgCLcB/s1600/IMG_7865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PKeVKRVEWjA/VzDbMzhADKI/AAAAAAAABT8/YKx0BIIbdRIXCtqVBEv-RJYsb7nQaeyTgCLcB/s320/IMG_7865.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ART Gun by Alton DuLaney, Texas 2016.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="col span_6 section-title ">&nbsp;</div><div class="col span_6 col_last"><div id="header-featured-image"></div></div><div class="container"><div class="col span_6 col_last"><div id="header-featured-image"><div class="cq-cards-container top" data-autoplayspeed="4000" data-backgroundcolor="#efefef" data-buttonbg="" data-buttonhoverbg="" data-captioncolor="" data-imageposition="top" data-minheight="100%" data-smallheight="100%" data-titlesize="" style="background-color: #efefef;"><div class="card-caption-container top"><div class="caption-content"><h3 style="font-size: 1.2em; padding-bottom: 4px ! important;">Courtesy Anton DuLaney</h3><div class="caption">The original ARTGun piece has been modified due to university rules.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="vc_col-sm-6 wpb_column column_container col no-extra-padding" data-animation="" data-bg-color="" data-bg-opacity="1" data-delay="0" data-has-bg-color="false" data-hover-bg-opacity="1" data-hover-bg="" data-padding-pos="all"><div class="wpb_wrapper"><div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element "><div class="wpb_wrapper">The school of art annual student exhibition is underway at the University of Houston’s <a href="http://blafferartmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Blaffer Art Museum</a>. An incomplete piece called ‘ARTGun’ is on display in the exhibition.<br /><br /> The art? A .22 revolver, unloaded and displayed in a glass frame with a red flag with the words “ART” on it sticking out of the barrel. But the university police and the school’s general council said it could not be displayed as originally designed. The gun is no longer part of the art. Instead, it’s now a framed box with a cut out of where the gun was originally supposed to be<br /> Artist Anton DuLaney, the creator of ‘ARTGun’ says the school authorities made it clear that the “gun is not allowed on campus and it is not open to discussion.”<br /><br /> As a native Texan DuLaney says that guns are “omnipotent” in Texas.<br /><br /> “In my work I try to examine pride, power and patriotism and for me the actual gun represented all those things,” DuLaney says.<br /><br /> DuLaney says that while he understands that the school was enforcing the law, it is still censorship. He says the gun would have been displayed in a glass frame and the museum has security cameras so it posed no threat to anyone.<br /><br /> The censorship has generated more interest in the piece than it would have otherwise received.<br /> “They did me a big favor by not allowing it,” DuLaney says.<br /><br /> “I was really (more) interested in my First Amendment rights, than my second amendment rights on this. They really just reinforced that for me,” DuLaney says.<br /><br /> The censorship comes at a time when concealed handguns will be allowed on school campuses starting August this year.<br /><br /> “Through the course of this piece I started taking gun safety classes and went through the whole training for the license to carry program here in Texas,” DuLaney says. “I have got a broader perspective on this now than ever before.”<br /><br /> <em>Post prepared by&nbsp;<span class="s1">Swathi Narayanan.</span></em><br /><br /> </div></div></div></div><div class="vc_col-sm-6 wpb_column column_container col no-extra-padding" data-animation="" data-bg-color="" data-bg-opacity="1" data-delay="0" data-has-bg-color="false" data-hover-bg-opacity="1" data-hover-bg="" data-padding-pos="all"><div class="wpb_wrapper"><div class="comments-section"> <div id="comments"><div class="comment-title">Tell it like it is<span>Tweet <a href="http://twitter.com/@texasstandard">@TexasStandard</a> or leave a comment here</span></div></div></div></div></div>Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-90380532568412872172016-05-06T20:36:00.000-07:002016-05-09T19:23:04.568-07:00Guns a blazing! Houston Matters KUHF<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wrBWx0IkQ9g/Vy1h57FVdHI/AAAAAAAABTQ/lBaHV1toRmYQrD6bKoFSauo6jnbdICjygCLcB/s1600/hm_webbanner_silhouette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="56" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wrBWx0IkQ9g/Vy1h57FVdHI/AAAAAAAABTQ/lBaHV1toRmYQrD6bKoFSauo6jnbdICjygCLcB/s320/hm_webbanner_silhouette.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alton DuLaney's ART Gun on KUHF Houston Matters May 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><b>The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly</b><br />A lot can happen in a week. Some of it good. Some of it bad. Some of it downright ugly. When faced with intriguing developments in the week’s news, we turn to our rotating panel of “non-experts” to parse <a href="http://www.houstonmatters.org/category/good-bad-ugly"><i>The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly</i></a> of it all. Today Kyrie O’Connor, Wayne Ashley and Russ Capper discuss the possibility of the proposed high-speed rail line between Houston and Dallas including a stop downtown, ALTON DULANEY - a University of Houston student artist’s gun-themed work displayed without the gun, and suspicion by municipalities over CenterPoint Energy’s request to charge customers to cover an additional $60 million in costs to deliver power to the region.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.houstonmatters.org/show/2016/05/06/gang-safety-zones-and-muscles-in-space-fridays-show-may-6-2016#more-29844" target="_blank">Listen to the discussion on ART Gun (5.40 into recording) on KUHF</a><br /><b></b>Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-67443503012784245712016-05-06T20:29:00.000-07:002016-05-09T19:23:34.404-07:00Taking Aim at Controversy - ABC13 Eyewitness News <div style="text-align: center;">ABC13 Eyewitness News Houston coverage of ART Gun by Alton DuLaney</div><div class="content"><div class="main-wide main-left"><br /><br /><br /><section class="lead-story inner"><div class="top-media headline-list-item"><h1 class="headline"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZRcLyAvMKE/Vy1YOecd7aI/AAAAAAAABTA/-UGhKnouLPI8P3Z6s1ckrM8Cf2dHBAKqACKgB/s1600/ARTGunABC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BZRcLyAvMKE/Vy1YOecd7aI/AAAAAAAABTA/-UGhKnouLPI8P3Z6s1ckrM8Cf2dHBAKqACKgB/s320/ARTGunABC.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alton DuLaney being interviewed for ABC13 Eyewitness News Houston by Steve Campio for ART Gun. Texas May 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BZRcLyAvMKE/Vy1YOecd7aI/AAAAAAAABTA/eIbgN-dMj48jWUMxiM9UPh_k6Ef97tHigCLcB/s1600/ARTGunABC.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a></h1><span class="_fwph_r" id="ktrk_society_Leaderboard 728x90|Leaderboard 970x90"><span id="_fw_container_ktrk_society_Leaderboard 728x90|Leaderboard 970x90"><span data-height="90" data-width="728" style="display: inline-block; margin: 0; vertical-align: top;"> </span></span></span> <br /><div class="taxonomy"><a href="http://abc13.com/tag/the-arts/">THE ARTS</a></div><h1 class="headline">Campus police censor UH student's gun-inspired ART</h1><h1 class="headline"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div></h1></div><div class="top-media headline-list-item"><div class="content"><div class="main-wide main-left"><br /><br /><br /><section class="lead-story inner"><div class="top-media headline-list-item"><div itemprop="video" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/VideoObject"><div class="video-player-default video-poster" data-isclone="false" data-islive="false" data-url="http://content.uplynk.com/ext/1efe3bfc4d1e4b5db5e5085a535b510b/050516-ewn-gun-art-vid_web.m3u8?ad._v=2&amp;ad=vod&amp;ad.preroll=&amp;ad.fill_slate=1&amp;ad.ametr=1" style="cursor: pointer;"><div class="video-player-dynamic" data-station="ktrk" data-video-id="1325677"></div><div class="defaultPlayer "><a href="http://abc13.com/society/campus-police-censor-uh-students-gun-inspired-art/1325501/#videoplayer"> </a><br /><div class="image" data-imgalt="Gun labeled as art pulled from display at UH" data-imgsrc="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/content/ktrk/images/cms/1325493.jpg"><a href="http://abc13.com/society/campus-police-censor-uh-students-gun-inspired-art/1325501/#videoplayer"><img alt="Gun labeled as art pulled from display at UH" src="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/content/ktrk/images/cms/1325493_800x450.jpg" /> <span class="video-poster-button" id="poster_play"></span> </a></div><a href="http://abc13.com/society/campus-police-censor-uh-students-gun-inspired-art/1325501/#videoplayer"></a> </div></div></div><div class="meta image-caption">Officials say a ban on weapons applies even to art installations.</div></div></section> <section class="story-body inner"> <div class="share-panel"><div class="share social-icons" style="display: block;"><div class="share-option-partner share-option-facebook"><div class="fb-share-button fb_iframe_widget" data-href="http://abc13.com/1325501/" data-type="button"><span style="height: 20px; vertical-align: bottom; width: 58px;"></span></div></div></div></div></section></div></div><div class="share-panel"><div class="share social-icons" style="display: block;"></div></div><div class="image-caption"></div><div class="byline ktrk">By <span itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"> <a href="http://abc13.com/about/newsteam/steve-campion" itemprop="name" rel="author">Steve Campion</a> </span> </div><div class="meta"><time class="timeago" datetime="2016-05-05T22:33:13Z" title="Thursday, May 05, 2016 05:33PM">Thursday, May 05, 2016 05:33PM</time> </div><div class="body-text"><div class="dateline">HOUSTON (KTRK) -- </div>Is it art or a weapon? A University of Houston graduate student said his work of art was censored by campus police.<br /><br />Alton DuLaney told abc13 his piece titled "ART Gun" featured a .22 caliber single action revolver to symbolize power. DuLaney placed a bright flag with the world "ART" in the barrel of the gun.<br /><br />The artist said he wanted to spark a broader conversation about gun culture. Instead, he was told the art was illegal to make or bring on campus.<br /><br />"I was trying to take a very neutral stance on it because it's a very divided subject here in Texas in particular, whether pro or anti-gun," said DuLaney.<br /><br />"My stance was pro-art. I really wanted to present it and let the viewing audience have the conservation. I really wanted to start up a conversation. I think the censoring of it by the police department was very helpful in that."<br /><br /></div><div class="body-text"></div><div class="body-text"></div><div class="top-media headline-list-item"><br /><div class="shortcode-container"><div class="royalSlider rsDefault carousel-group rsHor rsWithThumbs rsWithThumbsHor" id="1325487" style="display: block; height: 469.304px;"><div class="rsOverflow" style="cursor: grab; height: 401px; width: 695px;"><div class="rsContainer" style="transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); transition-duration: 500ms; transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.39, 0.575, 0.565, 1);"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="&lt;div class='meta'&gt;&lt;div class='origin-logo' data-origin='KTRK'&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span class='caption-text' data-credit=''&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;" class="rsImg imageCreatorType rsMainSlideImage" data-imgsrc="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/content/ktrk/images/cms/1325492.jpg" src="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/content/ktrk/images/cms/1325492_800x450.jpg" data-rsbigimg="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/content/ktrk/images/cms/1325492_1280x720.jpg" data-rstmb="http://cdn.abclocal.go.com/content/ktrk/images/cms/1325492_200x113.jpg" style="display: block; height: 387px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 7px; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 400ms ease-in-out 0s; visibility: visible; width: 687px;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ART Gun by Alton DuLaney. Texas May 2016</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div></div><br />DuLaney's piece is hanging inside the Blaffer Museum for the annual student art exhibition without the revolver. There are two explainers placed next to it -- one written by DuLaney and another from general counsel.<br /><br />"I view the museum as a sacred place. I think art has the power to transform both objects and opinions. I was hoping my alterations of this piece would transform it and it would be seen strictly as an art piece and then we could be having this conversation. The authorities here on campus felt otherwise. They felt it was still a weapon, even though it had been altered, and couldn't be included."<br /><br />The University of Houston released the following statement to abc13 when asked for comment.<br /><br />"SB11, adopted in our last legislative session, allows individuals licensed to carry concealed handguns to 'carry a concealed handgun on or about the license holder's person while the license holder is on the campus of an institution of higher education' effective August 1, 2016 subject to rules adopted by the president of the institution.<br /><br />"Until August 1, 2016, the Texas Penal Code prohibits a person from bringing a firearm onto campus, even in the guise of 'art.' The art as proposed was to include a real firearm and therefore, it was explained that the law did not have an exception for what was proposed. Under these circumstances, the guidance provided to the student and the Blaffer was related to compliance, nothing more."</div><div class="top-media headline-list-item"></div><div class="top-media headline-list-item"></div><div class="top-media headline-list-item"></div><div class="top-media headline-list-item"><br /><a href="http://abc13.com/society/campus-police-censor-uh-students-gun-inspired-art/1325501/" target="_blank">Read the article, watch the video on ABC13.com</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></section></div></div>Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-9061943827118765822016-05-04T18:54:00.001-07:002016-05-09T19:21:54.544-07:00Banning ART - The Houston Press<h1>UH Removes Gun Art Display From Exhibit, Pretty Much Making Artist's Point for Him</h1><div class="article-info "><div class="pub-ago"><span class="pubdate">Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at 6 a.m.</span> </div><div class="by-auth"><span class="byline">By <a href="http://www.houstonpress.com/authors/meagan-flynn-7623209">Meagan Flynn</a></span> </div></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zereeyYEliQ/Vyqlm9AzjBI/AAAAAAAABSo/_JEqIfMh_bcgQsLzN0A3_h19Kaa7r52OwCKgB/s1600/FDuLaneyARTgun2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zereeyYEliQ/Vyqlm9AzjBI/AAAAAAAABSo/_JEqIfMh_bcgQsLzN0A3_h19Kaa7r52OwCKgB/s320/FDuLaneyARTgun2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ART Gun by Artist Alton DuLaney Texas 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="first-para">Artist Alton DuLaney couldn't be mad that University of Houston officials censored his gun art from an exhibit at the Blaffer Art Museum — they basically made his point for him.</div><div class="first-para"><br /></div>Despite the fact that students will literally be sitting in English class with loaded guns on them in just three months, apparently DuLaney's exhibit, showing an unloaded revolver with a cartoonish banner that says "ART" protruding from its barrel, is all too threatening right now. Unlike private schools, UH is required to implement the new campus carry law slated to go into effect this August whether it likes it or not (from the looks of its <a href="http://www.houstonpress.com/news/uh-campus-carry-proposal-aims-to-restrict-guns-about-as-much-as-possible-8208583" target="_blank">restrictive campus-carry proposal</a>, it doesn't like it). But even if DuLaney's exhibit went up in August while students were packing heat on the sidewalks, the UH Office of General Counsel has, interestingly, said that DuLaney's gun art still likely wouldn't have been allowed. (Yeah, we're still waiting on the office's further explanation for that.)<br /><br />Now, the ART banner is the only item behind the glass, but DuLaney said the gun's absence may say more than its presence: “It proved my point about how controversial this object was,” he said. <br /><br />DuLaney had planned to make a statement about the power of guns by juxtaposing the revolver with the "bang" comic-book-like graphic that says "ART." That cartoonish element reminded DuLaney of how guns are so omnipresent in Texas culture that, even for kids in this state, toy guns are part of growing up.&nbsp;He was wondering: If he transformed the gun to look this way, would it still have as much power? After UH's decision, the answer was, well, apparently yes.<br /><br />“There's an obvious implication of power that this thing has, that this inanimate object has when combined with ammunition and intent to create damage,” DuLaney said. “So I wanted to create a piece that said all of that, but that was diffused by being cloaked in a statement of art."<br /><br />The UH Office of General Counsel posted a two-paragraph explanation directly beneath DuLaney's display case for why the school banned the gun from the show, citing the Texas law that bans guns on campus (until August). Never mind the fact that someone else created an entire exhibit of prison shanks and nunchucks that are evenly laid out in a seven-foot-long display box — that's apparently fair game.<br /><br /><span class="inline-video" data-vmg-ad="Teads" data-vmg-track="2nd ad" data-vmg-tracked="true"></span>Which is pretty funny to DuLaney, given that, even if people were carrying deadly weapons on their way to class, his gun art (but not prison shanks) would still be off-limits...behind a glass case.<br /><br />At the time he thought up the display, conversations were swirling around campus carry, <a href="http://www.houstonpress.com/news/war-between-pro-anti-campus-carry-groups-gets-personal-8295389" target="_blank">some with heated intensity.</a>DuLaney says his display is intended to be neutral, but that he was hoping it would still “fan the flames of dialogue” amid controversial debate. At UH, it was apparent just how touchy the subject had become among faculty after one professor even <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/02/25/new-kind-of-trigger-warning-at-texas-university-struggling-with-campus-carry-law-do-not-confront-a-student/" target="_blank">directed faculty in a presentation</a> to “Be careful discussing sensitive topics,” to “Drop certain topics from your curriculum” and to “Not 'go there' if you sense anger.” “There's a weariness or fragility to having that conversation,” DuLaney said, hoping his artsy gun would eliminate some of that.<br /><br />But guess we won't find out.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.houstonpress.com/news/uh-removes-gun-art-display-from-exhibit-pretty-much-making-artists-point-for-him-8373938" target="_blank">Read the article in The Houston Press</a><br /><br /><i>The exhibit is open until May 14, 2016, at&nbsp;4173 Elgin Street, Houston, Texas.</i><br /><i><br /></i>Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-10786794064205630692016-05-04T18:47:00.002-07:002016-05-09T19:23:54.122-07:00A Loaded Subject - Glasstire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zereeyYEliQ/Vyqlm9AzjBI/AAAAAAAABSk/iJZ-Srcr9ggQS6taJcXGP9WZcBW_c0rHQCLcB/s1600/FDuLaneyARTgun2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zereeyYEliQ/Vyqlm9AzjBI/AAAAAAAABSk/iJZ-Srcr9ggQS6taJcXGP9WZcBW_c0rHQCLcB/s320/FDuLaneyARTgun2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><header class="post-header"><h3 class="gdlr-blog-title"><a href="http://glasstire.com/2016/05/02/no-guns-at-uh-even-if-its-art-until-august/">No Guns At UH, Even If It’s Art. Until August.</a></h3></header><br /><div class="blog-info blog-date"><a href="http://glasstire.com/2016/05/02/">02 May 2016</a></div><span class="gdlr-separator">/</span><br /><div class="blog-info blog-author"><a href="http://glasstire.com/author/glasstire/" rel="author" title="Posts by Glasstire">Glasstire</a></div><br /><br />Last&nbsp;week, the University of Houston’s Art Department opened their annual show of&nbsp;works by first and second-year graduate students as well as UH undergrads. Prior to the exhibition’s&nbsp;opening, MFA student&nbsp;<a href="http://www.altondulaney.com/">Alton DuLaney</a>&nbsp;met with resistance from UH’s&nbsp;Police and Legal departments about a work&nbsp;he&nbsp;wanted&nbsp;to include in the show. The piece,&nbsp;<i>ART Gun</i>, is made from a pistol&nbsp;and was&nbsp;intended to comment on the recent <a href="http://glasstire.com/2015/12/14/everyones-a-critic-or-a-performance-artist/" target="_blank">campus carry</a> law passed in Texas—as a public university, UH will be <a href="http://www.uh.edu/police/campus-carry/faq.html">required</a> to allow concealed weapons on campus starting August 1st of this year.<br /><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5;">The UH Police</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">&nbsp;sent the artist this statement: </span><i style="line-height: 1.5;">“I have consulted with Legal and the gun is not to be allowed on campus. From both our positions, the matter is closed”</i><br /><br />The artist on their reason for creating&nbsp;<i>ART Gun</i>:<br /><i>“I wanted to create a piece of ART that took a neutral stance on the subject while at the same time commenting on </i><i>the omnipresence of guns in the American culture and society, and opening up the dialog to this conversation.</i>”<br /><br />DuLaney says the work is inspired by&nbsp;Chris Burden,&nbsp;Marina Abramovic,&nbsp;Andy Warhol, Marcel Duchamp, Roy Lichtenstein, and Mel Chin (who recently had a show at the Blaffer Art Museum on campus).<br /><br />Ultimately, the artist chose to exhibit the work without the gun, asking,&nbsp;<i>“Did the authorities give even more power to the object by forbidding its exhibition and thereby validate the power of the ART by censoring it?”</i><br /><br /><i><a href="http://glasstire.com/2016/05/02/no-guns-at-uh-even-if-its-art-until-august/" target="_blank">Read the Article on Glasstire</a>&nbsp;</i> Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-40157822252874196242016-05-04T18:41:00.001-07:002016-05-04T18:48:38.772-07:00ART too dangerous to display in the Houston Chronicle<div class="article-head"><h2 class="headline">The gun was part of my art. UH said no.</h2><h3 class="subhead">Is some art too dangerous to display?</h3><div class="byline">By Alton DuLaney, for the Houston Chronicle</div><span class="datestamp"> <span class="published">May 2, 2016</span></span></div><div class="article-head"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cMnuTxUCJ14/VyqkBU1WSdI/AAAAAAAABSY/yv-hcn8YLlc-USr6zx-3389zCbxJEZn9wCLcB/s1600/RDuLaneyARTgun2016%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cMnuTxUCJ14/VyqkBU1WSdI/AAAAAAAABSY/yv-hcn8YLlc-USr6zx-3389zCbxJEZn9wCLcB/s320/RDuLaneyARTgun2016%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original version of "ARTGun," by artist Alton DuLaney. The University of Houston denied him permission to display the work as intended. Through May 14, a gun-less version is on view at Blaffer Art Museum.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="article-head"><span class="datestamp"><span class="published"></span> </span></div><div class="article-head">I am an artist. I make art. In my work I examine the concepts of pride, power, and patriotism, especially as it relates to art.<br /><br />Having recently moved back to my native Texas to obtain an MFA through the University of Houston, I have been fascinated with the discourse about guns — especially the loaded (pun intended) topics of concealed handgun licenses, licenses to carry, and campus carry.<br /><br /><div class="ad"><div class="ad-inner" id="adMiddle"></div></div><div class="hdnce-e hdnce-item-47199"></div>I wanted to create a piece of art that took a neutral stance on the controversial subject, while at the same time commenting of the omnipresence of guns in the American culture. I quickly learned that getting a gun in Texas is much easier than getting an MFA.<br /><br />For the annual exhibition of student art at UH's Blaffer Art Museum, I created a piece called "ARTGun": A real .22 revolver, not loaded, in a glass frame, with a cartoon-like "Bang" flag protruding from its barrel.<br /><br />People familiar with art history will see that I was drawing on a long list of artists who've gone before me. I used the same caliber of gun that artist Chris Burden used "Shoot," the famous 1971 performance in which he had an assistant<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/05/14/performance-2" target="_blank"> shoot him in the arm</a>. I referenced Marina Abramovic, who in a 1974 performance laid out a table with 72 items,<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/may/12/marina-abramovic-ready-to-die-serpentine-gallery-512-hours" target="_blank"> including a loaded gun</a>, and invited artists to do as they saw fit. Then there's Andy Warhol (with his famous portrait of a <a href="https://www.moma.org/learn/moma_learning/andy-warhol-double-elvis-1963" target="_blank">gun­slinging Elvis</a>), Marcel Duchamp (and his exploration in the <a href="http://www.toutfait.com/issues/volume2/issue_5/articles/girst2/girst1.html" target="_blank">beauty of the ready­made</a>), Roy Lichtenstein (with his <a href="http://www.moma.org/collection/works/80053?locale=en" target="_blank">comic book approach to Pop Art</a>), and<a href="http://www.artinamericamagazine.com/news-features/interviews/getting-the-lead-out-mel-chin/" target="_blank"> even Mel Chin</a> (who has exhibited works of art relating to both firearms and ammunitions at the Blaffer Art Museum).<br /><br /><div class="asset_factbox"><div class="factbox_r sc-med-gradient-bar local"><div class="factbox_r_content">The gun-less version of "ARTGun" — along with the artist's statement and a statement by Blaffer Art Museum&nbsp;— is part of the Blaffer's annual student art exhibiton.<br /><br /><br /></div></div></div>When I proposed this piece for the show, I was advised by the UH police and legal departments that "the gun is not to be allowed on campus...(and) the matter is closed." Despite my efforts, and those of the museum, the piece was forbidden from being exhibited in its original form.<br /><br />I have chosen to include the piece in the show anyway&nbsp;— only without the gun that was central to its original conception.<br /><br />The situation brings up interesting questions:<br /><div style="padding-left: 30px;">­<i>When a thing (a revolver) is designated an artifact (an art object object) is it still regarded as contraband (a weapon)?</i></div><div style="padding-left: 30px;"><i>­How is an unloaded piece of industrial design securely framed and under glass hanging on the wall as art, in a museum with security and cameras, still considered inherently and prohibitively dangerous?</i></div><div style="padding-left: 30px;"><i>­Does art have the power to transform things, appearances, beliefs, opinions?</i></div><div style="padding-left: 30px;"><i>­Is this object so powerful and taboo that it can't even be allowed into the building?</i></div><div style="padding-left: 30px;"><i>­Can we as a society see guns on TV and in movies, and even out on the street, but not in the museum?</i></div><div style="padding-left: 30px;"><i>­Is a museum a sacred space?</i></div><div style="padding-left: 30px;">­<i>By not allowing the gun into the the exhibition, was even more power given to the object, and thereby validate the power of the ART by censoring it?</i></div><div class="asset_zone zoneInlineE" data-config-asset-position="5"><div class="hst-freeform hdnce-e hdnce-item-30789"><form action="http://whatcounts.com/bin/listctrl" method="POST"><table><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td></tr><tr><td>When: 10-5, Tuesdays-Saturdays, through May 14.<br />Where: Blaffer Art Museum, University of Houston, 4173 Elgin.<br />How much: Free.</td></tr><tr><td><br /><a href="http://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/gray-matters/article/The-gun-was-part-of-my-art-UH-said-no-7387811.php" target="_blank">Read the article in The Houston Chronicle</a></td></tr></tbody></table></form></div></div><div class="asset_zone zoneInlineE" data-config-asset-position="5"><div class="hst-freeform hdnce-e hdnce-item-30789"><form action="http://whatcounts.com/bin/listctrl" method="POST"><table><tbody><tr><td></td></tr></tbody></table></form></div></div><i><b>Alton DuLaney</b> is an artist and MFA student at the University of Houston.</i><i><a href="http://www.houstonchronicle.com/local/gray-matters/" target="_blank">Check out more Gray Matters</a>. Is this object so powerful and taboo that it can't even be allowed into the building?</i><span class="datestamp"><span class="published"></span> </span></div>Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-70123531730639763842016-05-04T18:13:00.000-07:002016-05-09T19:27:16.588-07:00Gunslinging! ART Gun Censored - The Daily Cougar by Emily Burleson<div id="headline-block"><h1 class="omc-post-heading-standard">Student art ‘censored’ at Blaffer Museum</h1></div><div class="omc-post-date"><span class="byline">By <a href="https://thedailycougar.com/byline/emily-burleson/" rel="tag">Emily Burleson</a></span> <span class="pub-time">April 29, 2016<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xlbkCHamYKw/VyqdXCXiwdI/AAAAAAAABRk/cS0aEjvOMpgLTEEbvWJt2zxLNgv_5308gCLcB/s1600/ArtistAltonDuLaney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xlbkCHamYKw/VyqdXCXiwdI/AAAAAAAABRk/cS0aEjvOMpgLTEEbvWJt2zxLNgv_5308gCLcB/s320/ArtistAltonDuLaney.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many of DuLaney’s pieces explore and question themes of power, pride and patriotism. He calls his works “self-referential,” as each piece contains the word “ART.” | Pablo Milanese / The Cougar</td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div class="omc-post-date"></div><div class="omc-post-date"></div><div class="omc-post-date"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span><b><a href="http://blafferartmuseum.org/uh-school-of-art-annual-student-exhibition-2/">tagline</a></b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for the School of Art’s Annual Student Exhibition, which will run Friday through May 14, asserts&nbsp;the student creations will leave the studio and be displayed for the public. One piece of art, however,</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&nbsp;will not get to the museum in full form.</span><br /><br />Even though first year M.F.A student Alton DuLaney finished his piece, which features a revolver, months ago, it will be exhibited without the gun in the Blaffer Art Museum after the UH Office of the General Counsel prohibited it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Ideally, the museum should be the one making that decision, not the police department,” DuLaney said. “My goal is just to bring attention to this whole situation, both the censorship and the fact that (handguns) will be allowed on campus in classrooms soon but not in the museum.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 400;">DuLaney, who studies interdisciplinary practice and emerging forms, intended for his piece to be shown as he originally designed it: a revolver enclosed in a glass frame with a silk flag reading “ART” emerging from the barrel. DuLaney said he hoped his piece would be an innocuous statement and ignite conversations regarding campus carry.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 400;">After DuLaney created the piece, he contacted UHPD directly. His query was forwarded to the Office of the General Counsel, which said DuLaney would not be allowed to have the gun on campus. The piece will now hang in the exhibition without the revolver.</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_131118"><a href="http://thedailycougar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/FullSizeRender1.jpg"><img alt="DuLaney's piece will be displayed without the revolver in the Blaffer Art Museum from April 29 through May 14. | Courtesy of Alton DuLaney" class="wp-image-131118 size-medium" src="https://thedailycougar.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/FullSizeRender1-300x180.jpg" /></a><br /><div class="wp-caption-text">DuLaney’s piece will be displayed without the revolver in the Blaffer Art Museum from April 29 through May 14. | Courtesy of Alton DuLaney</div><div class="wp-caption-text"><br /></div><div class="wp-caption-text"><br /></div></div><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Under current Texas state law, firearms are forbidden on campus. The fact that they may be exhibited as part of an arts exhibition doesn’t change the analysis,” according to a statement from the Office of the General Counsel, which does not consider the prohibition as censorship.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 400;">“No guns are currently allowed on campus. We do not censor art,” said UH Chief of Police Ceaser Moore Jr. in an email.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 400;">DuLaney and IPEF Director John Reed, who approved DuLaney’s piece for the exhibition, disagree.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: 400;">“In an art gallery context, this is my first example of censorship,” Reed said. “If somebody can’t express themselves, then it is censorship. Sometimes, we as a society feel that’s justified, and sometimes we feel that it’s not.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 400;">In this case, Reed said the UHPD and General Counsel’s decision had no justification.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The gun in the piece is really not available as a gun,” Reed said. “It’s mounted in a frame. It has a flag down its barrel. It’s unloaded, and it’s in an environment where security is watching it the entire time the gallery is open. Humorously, it would be far easier to walk in with your own gun than to come in, steal that gun, load it and then use it for something. It’s really not a safety issue.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 400;">Reed called DuLaney a “wise student and mature thinker” who raises questions before stepping back and allowing the viewers to come up with their own answers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 400;">DuLaney said he hoped his piece would encourage people to ask questions like, “By not allowing the gun into the the exhibition, was even more power given to the object, and thereby validated the power of the ART by censoring it?” and “Is a museum a sacred space?”&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I think that’s an artist’s job: put the question out there so that we have to deal with it, and that’s what he’s tried to do,” Reed said. “With or without the gun, the discussion has to happen. Whether (Blaffer Art Museum’s director and chief curator) Claudia Schmuckli’s version of the show or Ceaser Moore’s version of the show is what we see, Alton’s piece, luckily, will bring up the same discussion either way.”</span><br /><br /><i>news@thedailycougar.com</i><br /><br /><br /><i><a href="https://thedailycougar.com/2016/04/29/student-art-censored-blaffer-museum/" target="_blank">Read the article in The Daily Cougar</a>&nbsp;</i><br /><br /><div class="omc-single-tags"><b>Tags:</b> <a href="https://thedailycougar.com/tag/alton-dulaney/" rel="tag">Alton DuLaney</a>, <a href="https://thedailycougar.com/tag/blaffer-art-museum/" rel="tag">Blaffer Art Museum</a>, <a href="https://thedailycougar.com/tag/interdisciplinary-practice-and-emerging-forms/" rel="tag">interdisciplinary practice and emerging forms</a>, <a href="https://thedailycougar.com/tag/school-of-art-annual-student-exhibition/" rel="tag">School of Art Annual Student Exhibition</a></div><br class="clear" /></div>Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-4430782911166089132016-05-04T16:52:00.001-07:002016-05-04T18:23:30.238-07:00ART Gun<h2 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ART Gun</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z3BEPffPskA/VyqG6IzgSKI/AAAAAAAABQc/iGAskADzkI8LyE4sxQH2p_85uTVak9A-gCLcB/s1600/ArtistAltonDuLaney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z3BEPffPskA/VyqG6IzgSKI/AAAAAAAABQc/iGAskADzkI8LyE4sxQH2p_85uTVak9A-gCLcB/s320/ArtistAltonDuLaney.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist Alton DuLaney in his Houston Texas Studio April 2016 photo by Paolo Milanese</td></tr></tbody></table><span id="goog_782379523"></span><span id="goog_782379524"></span><br />My name is Alton DuLaney. I am an Artist. I make ART. In my work I examine the concepts of Pride, Power, and Patriotism, especially as it relates to ART and the identity politics of being an American Artist.<br /><br />Having recently moved back to my native Texas to obtain an MFA through the University of Houston, I have been fascinated with the discourse about guns, the incredibly loaded (pun intended) topic of Concealed Handgun License, License To Carry, and especially Campus Carry. I wanted to create a piece of ART that took a neutral stance on the controversial subject, while at the same time commenting on the omnipresence of guns in the American culture, and opening up the dialog to these conversations. Thus the piece ART Gun was conceived. I soon learned that getting a gun in Texas is much easier than getting an MFA!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hcDtyvOxUHw/VyqHfMfbXVI/AAAAAAAABQk/JdQNQBsojcEo3WcyX1rDCI3pclm1a00sQCLcB/s1600/GunSketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hcDtyvOxUHw/VyqHfMfbXVI/AAAAAAAABQk/JdQNQBsojcEo3WcyX1rDCI3pclm1a00sQCLcB/s320/GunSketch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist Alton DuLaney sketch ART Gun Texas 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Exploring the gun as an object of power, the piece I have created for this exhibition is called ART Gun, and is inspired by Chris Burden (using the same caliber of gun he used in his famous shooting piece), Marina Abramovic (who used a pistol in one of her early performances), Andy Warhol (with his famous portrait of a gun-slinging Elvis), Marcel Duchamp (and his exploration in the beauty of the ready-made), and Roy Lichtenstein (with his comic book approach to Pop Art), and even Mel Chin (who has exhibited works of art relating to both firearms and ammunition at the Blaffer Art Museum).<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0BftHKoDPA/VyqJHwbb4PI/AAAAAAAABQ8/-txRrcyYN3kjXxvbWV46mC7EcISL4DD6gCLcB/s1600/LLichtensteinBang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_0BftHKoDPA/VyqJHwbb4PI/AAAAAAAABQ8/-txRrcyYN3kjXxvbWV46mC7EcISL4DD6gCLcB/s1600/LLichtensteinBang.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roy Lichtenstein inspiration for ART Gun by Alton DuLaney</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br />Combining my varied experience and interests of art history, window design, circus arts, custom framing, and media training,&nbsp; I created what I intended to be a neutral yet provocative statement on the implicit power of the firearm, as well as ART’s power to transform objects, appearances, and hopefully opinions. After all, in Texas, a gun is a common toy for children, so surely it could also be ART. With the debate being so au courant, I did my research into art precedence and local law.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BCigZth96tY/VyqJmwJL7AI/AAAAAAAABRI/S4NnpHdpX6QFjba-TZLktVrQZXaiHQY3ACKgB/s1600/Ktoy-gun-thinkstock%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BCigZth96tY/VyqJmwJL7AI/AAAAAAAABRI/S4NnpHdpX6QFjba-TZLktVrQZXaiHQY3ACKgB/s320/Ktoy-gun-thinkstock%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspiration for ART Gun by Alton DuLaney 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />I educated myself on gun safety. I wanted to make sure that no one was harmed in the production and exhibition of this piece, including myself. I took numerous gun safety classes, completing the workshop and exams to be certified for a LTC license. However getting the piece into the Blaffer Museum, proved harder than hitting the bull’s eye.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-73AqnhfHNlU/VyqI4o_7O1I/AAAAAAAABQ4/Bhl8fFp-WiALpMhtf7plbDKEXTwtg7fAgCKgB/s1600/IMG_8642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-73AqnhfHNlU/VyqI4o_7O1I/AAAAAAAABQ4/Bhl8fFp-WiALpMhtf7plbDKEXTwtg7fAgCKgB/s320/IMG_8642.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />When I proposed this piece for the show, I was advised by the UH Police and Legal departments that …”the gun is not to be allowed on campus…(and) the matter is closed”. Despite my efforts, and those from the museum, the piece was forbidden from being exhibited in its original form. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AeTcOSlNWm0/VyqKC3HKL3I/AAAAAAAABRQ/_tywYCsZxSUMKwwH9mqRD0kqQ6DUoJ4xACLcB/s1600/9DuLaneyARTgun2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AeTcOSlNWm0/VyqKC3HKL3I/AAAAAAAABRQ/_tywYCsZxSUMKwwH9mqRD0kqQ6DUoJ4xACLcB/s320/9DuLaneyARTgun2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ART Gun by Artist Alton DuLaney Texas 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I have chosen to include the piece in the show, presented here without the gun, because the situation brings up several interesting questions:<br /><br />- When a thing (revolver) is designated an artifact (ART object) is it still regarded as contraband (weapon)?<br /><br />- How is an unloaded piece of industrial design securely framed and under glass hanging on the wall as ART in a museum with security and cameras still considered inherently and prohibitively dangerous?<br /><br />- Does ART have the power to transform things, appearances, beliefs, opinions?<br /><br />- Is this particular object so powerful and taboo that it can’t even be allowed into the building?<br /><br />- Can we as a society see guns on TV and in Movies and even out on the street but not in the museum?<br /><br />- Is a museum a sacred space?<br /><br />- By not allowing the gun into the the exhibition, was even more power given to the object, and thereby validate the power of the ART by censoring it?<br /><br />- When can a gun be justified on campus or in a museum?<br /><br />- What is the difference between displaying and brandishing?<br /><br />- Is it freedom of expression or is it public safety? <br /><br />Ultimately, this piece of ART was not created to be Pro- or Anti-Gun, but Pro-ART!<br />The piece is on exhibit at the Blaffer Art Museum until 14 May 2016.<br /><br /><a href="http://blafferartmuseum.org/current-exhibitions/">For more info from The Blaffer Art Museum</a><br /><br />Alton DuLaney <br />29 April 2016<br /><br />Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-38053708653832535122016-03-30T13:36:00.001-07:002016-03-30T13:36:33.621-07:00The Menil Neighborhood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Menil Neighborhood</div><div style="text-align: center;">March 2016</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d1BFVPH3KFU/Vvr5UWDQkeI/AAAAAAAABM8/eWQDpaluqV0ckReYaOalLeTvDbHQYIIfA/s1600/AltonAtMenil2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d1BFVPH3KFU/Vvr5UWDQkeI/AAAAAAAABM8/eWQDpaluqV0ckReYaOalLeTvDbHQYIIfA/s320/AltonAtMenil2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alton DuLaney and dog AureLeo in "Do-Ville" in Houston Texas March 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Nearly every major city has at least one. An Eiffel Tower or a Disney Concert Hall. A Golden Gate Bride or a Guggenheim Museum. A building or structure or landmark that stands independently of it’s given city limits, that comes to represent the place where it is geographically land-locked as an iconic symbol of that place, the image of which says NYC just as loudly, by only showing the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, or the Freedom Tower. (It could be argued that all of Manhattan has been art directed, considering that the island was leveled and mapped and planned. Even Central Park&nbsp; is essentially an enormous installation art piece, or stage set, orchestrated by Frederick Law Olmsted, with every tree, trail, rock, hill and pond carefully placed to create an overall look and feel. Perhaps then Christo and Jean Claude’s installation of orange gates in the park was a redundancy - art on art.)<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lkiDQcBpCwU/Vvr6naP6IpI/AAAAAAAABNE/pC6hDOGIbck0tnQN54ihQLHo21N_PwpQw/s1600/Menil%2BYard%2BArt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lkiDQcBpCwU/Vvr6naP6IpI/AAAAAAAABNE/pC6hDOGIbck0tnQN54ihQLHo21N_PwpQw/s320/Menil%2BYard%2BArt.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menil yard art in Houston Texas photo by Alton DuLaney March 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Yes, every major city has at least one signature locale that speaks of the greater city at large, and more often than not these icons of urbanism are works of art (public art), tributes to the arts (museums), of exemplary architecture that elevates construction to an artistic level of respect and appreciation. One such example of this can be seen right here in our own back yard, in the Menil Collection - the Park, Museum, and surrounding galleries and buildings, what we shall refer to here as the Menil Neighborhood.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YMrwUaXR7NU/Vvr7a9e55EI/AAAAAAAABNM/aIoL-PrqU14Pnhn6bt3tPrx0TUjcDkfxw/s1600/Menil%2BCollection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YMrwUaXR7NU/Vvr7a9e55EI/AAAAAAAABNM/aIoL-PrqU14Pnhn6bt3tPrx0TUjcDkfxw/s320/Menil%2BCollection.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menil Musuem in Houston Texas photo by Alton DuLaney March 2016</td></tr></tbody></table>Nestled in the heart of Montrose, the 30 acre “campus” of the Menil Foundation, (not including their home in River Oaks designed by Philip Johnson, with interiors by Charles James), is a testament to John and Dominique de Menil’s vision of art preservation and presentation.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qZBUKI8sUH4/Vvr9NN0CH8I/AAAAAAAABNo/PhCk2bddx8U3w6kUc1dFwYOLyDrtSKG3g/s1600/Menil%2BSign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qZBUKI8sUH4/Vvr9NN0CH8I/AAAAAAAABNo/PhCk2bddx8U3w6kUc1dFwYOLyDrtSKG3g/s320/Menil%2BSign.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Menil Foundation in Houston photo by Alton DuLaney March 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><br />At the heart of the compound is the Menil Collection or Museum, designed by Renzo Piano and opened in 1987, it houses one of the largest privately held collections in the world.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MVev8sKH82M/Vvr8xbOC3PI/AAAAAAAABNg/UYnc2yT-twAKBs20MM5bJ73MmBD6nGW3w/s1600/MenilMuseumPiano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MVev8sKH82M/Vvr8xbOC3PI/AAAAAAAABNg/UYnc2yT-twAKBs20MM5bJ73MmBD6nGW3w/s320/MenilMuseumPiano.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Menil Museum by Renzo Piano photo by Alton DuLaney March 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Additionally there is: The Cy Twombly Gallery, also by Piano, features a retrospective of the American artist’s work dating from 1951 through his death in 2011;<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--B7GzAwByTQ/Vvr-kPhBptI/AAAAAAAABNs/BZYhO-spcJIV99VO8MyPoJ2EL0HL7ajcA/s1600/CyTwomblyGallery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--B7GzAwByTQ/Vvr-kPhBptI/AAAAAAAABNs/BZYhO-spcJIV99VO8MyPoJ2EL0HL7ajcA/s320/CyTwomblyGallery.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cy Twombly Gallery at Menil in Houston photo by Alton DuLaney March 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The Dan Flavin Installation at Richmond Hall, located in a former grocery store, was Dominique de Menil’s last commission;<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fq914rh69C4/VvsBnlmjASI/AAAAAAAABN4/tmAUVAPXNfQg3LqS2CzKUy_rxVVD-FIRQ/s1600/Richmond%2BHall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fq914rh69C4/VvsBnlmjASI/AAAAAAAABN4/tmAUVAPXNfQg3LqS2CzKUy_rxVVD-FIRQ/s320/Richmond%2BHall.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richmond Hall in Houston photo by Alton DuLaney March 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The Byzantine Chapel, which originally housed 13th century frescos on a 15-year loan from Cyprus, and now the home of a rotating exhibition of sight-specific installations including currently “The Time Machine” installation;<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IB7EC8WH9c4/VvsCdArAPcI/AAAAAAAABOA/m0XCBzWIi2Q-l5j20NsCtvpeQ7a_5aepA/s1600/Menil%2BByzantine%2BChapel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IB7EC8WH9c4/VvsCdArAPcI/AAAAAAAABOA/m0XCBzWIi2Q-l5j20NsCtvpeQ7a_5aepA/s320/Menil%2BByzantine%2BChapel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menil Byzantine Chapel in Houston photo by Alton DuLaney March 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><br />the Philip Johnson designed Rothko Chapel displaying an impressive commission by Mark Rothko, and,<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cg2f-h8lPHY/VvsDLgUfJzI/AAAAAAAABOI/cU70ONo_YmAYZdzNOHZ4NuinJplj87a2A/s1600/Menil%2BRothko%2BChapel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cg2f-h8lPHY/VvsDLgUfJzI/AAAAAAAABOI/cU70ONo_YmAYZdzNOHZ4NuinJplj87a2A/s320/Menil%2BRothko%2BChapel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rothko Chapel in Houston photo by Alton DuLaney March 2016</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;out front, a gravity defying sculpture by Barnett Newman, the “Broken Obelisk”, which is currently, "broken"( away for restorations);<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YITnCJr-yxc/VvsDL0e4tfI/AAAAAAAABOM/yGV0InCxWL48LzSpypqaWaskl_qF3l_yA/s1600/Menil%2BBroken%2BOblisque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YITnCJr-yxc/VvsDL0e4tfI/AAAAAAAABOM/yGV0InCxWL48LzSpypqaWaskl_qF3l_yA/s320/Menil%2BBroken%2BOblisque.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Broken Obelisk is broken! Photo by Alton DuLaney March 2016</td></tr></tbody></table>and the newest addition, the Bistro Menil, <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dNVgK9t8QYk/VvsFQtZnoeI/AAAAAAAABOc/rzq0hBcHWDkJG8hcknJUoGhEdOFqY2OKA/s1600/BistroMenil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dNVgK9t8QYk/VvsFQtZnoeI/AAAAAAAABOc/rzq0hBcHWDkJG8hcknJUoGhEdOFqY2OKA/s320/BistroMenil.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bistro Menil in Houston photo by Alton DuLaney March 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><br />a quaint little bistro with outdoor seating and an enjoyable happy hour. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MD3JiIOuvJw/VvsFQtBqOOI/AAAAAAAABOg/LLrOAsNfa3Q3clWIuSDWWcDXYy_yor1Dw/s1600/Menil%2BBistro%2Bterrace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MD3JiIOuvJw/VvsFQtBqOOI/AAAAAAAABOg/LLrOAsNfa3Q3clWIuSDWWcDXYy_yor1Dw/s320/Menil%2BBistro%2Bterrace.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Public Art at Bistro Menil in Houston photo by Alton DuLaney March 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But what really defines the neighborhood is the collection of surrounding bungalows that the Menil Foundation began quietly buying in the 1960s in an epic effort to protect the atmosphere and character of the neighborhood.&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t_vMs2YTzzc/VvwzaIacp6I/AAAAAAAABO0/WhAo2MeMAUc9jrLuNmyKT6yIN9_VkjdnA/s1600/Menil%2BDoVille.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t_vMs2YTzzc/VvwzaIacp6I/AAAAAAAABO0/WhAo2MeMAUc9jrLuNmyKT6yIN9_VkjdnA/s320/Menil%2BDoVille.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Do-Ville" at the Menil Collection in Houston photo by Alton DuLaney March 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To unify the disparate architecture, the dozens of modest homes have all been painted the same shade of gray, now know as “Menil Gray”, thus giving a commonality and cohesiveness to the streets surrounding the park and the museum.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-35NrzALNKWE/Vvwzszbof1I/AAAAAAAABO4/2F3wErzwsnQFy0-9NmNoTF8fUNmu5WQ6g/s1600/Menil%2BGray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-35NrzALNKWE/Vvwzszbof1I/AAAAAAAABO4/2F3wErzwsnQFy0-9NmNoTF8fUNmu5WQ6g/s320/Menil%2BGray.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Menil" or "Howard" Gray at the Menil Collection in Houston photo by Alton DuLaney</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The particular shade of gray is also referred to as “Howard Gray” as it was actually conceived by Howard Barnstone, who took over the Rothko Chapel project from Johnson.&nbsp;</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7g0Zl4Xibn4/Vvw0VrmCExI/AAAAAAAABPE/zuc75yx5J_IxNm1RRvSHl9AEhuxsphkug/s1600/Menil%2BLiveoak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7g0Zl4Xibn4/Vvw0VrmCExI/AAAAAAAABPE/zuc75yx5J_IxNm1RRvSHl9AEhuxsphkug/s320/Menil%2BLiveoak.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live Oak tree in the Menil Neighborhood of Houston photo by Alton DuLaney</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dominique de Menil had requested a hue that would play well with the lush green lawns and majestic Live Oak trees of the park, as well as something that would not detract from the museum centerpiece she would eventually build in the park.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5ti1UtD4H4/Vvw0VQcxuGI/AAAAAAAABPA/Xx0818DgxtIvQi5SwGw1mUftfo4BoWKmQ/s1600/Menil%2BPark%2BOak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5ti1UtD4H4/Vvw0VQcxuGI/AAAAAAAABPA/Xx0818DgxtIvQi5SwGw1mUftfo4BoWKmQ/s320/Menil%2BPark%2BOak.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menil Live Oak in Houston photo by Alton DuLaney March 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of note is that the Museum came later, and was painted to match the bungalows and not the other way around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJlDoikxo5k/Vvw1BAVjDyI/AAAAAAAABPM/oKw_lSIKuEoL6DqG3fuNbYOB4lPmQATYg/s1600/Menil%2BDoVille%2BGray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qJlDoikxo5k/Vvw1BAVjDyI/AAAAAAAABPM/oKw_lSIKuEoL6DqG3fuNbYOB4lPmQATYg/s320/Menil%2BDoVille%2BGray.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menil Neighborhood in Houston photo by Alton DuLaney March 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The neighborhood became known locally as “Doville” (Dominique’s-Village), and has for decades been both enclave and refuge to artists, writers, designers, and other creatives, that have called the bungalows home. Residents in these rent-controlled units have access to world-class art and institutions, and also contribute to the authenticity of the neighborhood, while maintaining the character and charm that first attracted Dominique to the area in the late 1950’s, when the Menil’s were instrumental in forming the University of St Thomas. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A half-century later, Dominique’s vision is alive and thriving in Houston, attracting tens-of-thousands of visitors each year, and fulfilling the philosophies of accessibility (the museum and all exhibits are free to the public),&nbsp;</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K2SlvAOOEF8/Vvw174LGD5I/AAAAAAAABPY/9zZ7URcGWiIu6KyFcWvkr7SQpkHrZkzuA/s1600/Menil%2BHours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K2SlvAOOEF8/Vvw174LGD5I/AAAAAAAABPY/9zZ7URcGWiIu6KyFcWvkr7SQpkHrZkzuA/s320/Menil%2BHours.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menil Collection in Houston hours of operation</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">the combination of spirituality and art (through the two chapels and tranquil, meditative park setting),&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJXYPYLpKXY/Vvw173ED7mI/AAAAAAAABPc/tWOTm3zL-HkQxq_wyq_GVlzA2kBAQ6uzA/s1600/Menil%2BPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJXYPYLpKXY/Vvw173ED7mI/AAAAAAAABPc/tWOTm3zL-HkQxq_wyq_GVlzA2kBAQ6uzA/s320/Menil%2BPark.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menil Park in Houston photo by Alton DuLaney March 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and intimacy (housing artists and creatives in the neighborhood’s iconic gray bungalows).&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7iS3feE6yQ/Vvw18VU39II/AAAAAAAABPk/ApunTgrHcdg94zv1vS5Izb9Je3iGYSURA/s1600/Texas%2BArtist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7iS3feE6yQ/Vvw18VU39II/AAAAAAAABPk/ApunTgrHcdg94zv1vS5Izb9Je3iGYSURA/s320/Texas%2BArtist.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas Artist Alton DuLaney with dog AureLeo at the Menil Collection in Houston</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">(For information on another great Texas artist who has work in the Menil Collection, check out this great book on&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/1pLloK9">Robert Rauschenberg</a> published by the Menil.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp; </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As one strolls through the park, surrounded by the cool gray-toned homes, and the understated yet impressive museum and surrounding galleries, it is easy to feel a sense of pride for the instantly recognizable art neighborhood. And though Dominique is long gone, her presence survives, as the compound continues to draw crowds and acclaim. And the vision continues to expand, with a master plan in the works for even more green spaces and the now-under-construction Menil Drawing Institute, which boasts to be the only free-standing building dedicated to works on paper in the USA. (The height of the new MDI, by the way, will be no more than 16ft, so as not to detract from or tower over the bungalows.)&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pCOM2rzo86Y/Vvw171krlMI/AAAAAAAABPg/dh7bJwGv-GkRH-1Azf_o_hNrBAWkb0VWQ/s1600/Menil%2BDrawing%2BInst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pCOM2rzo86Y/Vvw171krlMI/AAAAAAAABPg/dh7bJwGv-GkRH-1Azf_o_hNrBAWkb0VWQ/s320/Menil%2BDrawing%2BInst.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Construction on the Menil Drawing Institute in Houston photo by Alton DuLaney</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Definitely a neighborhood worth visiting on any tour of Houston. For more information on hours or exhibitions at the Menil Collection, visit their website.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.menil.org/">https://www.menil.org/</a></div><br />Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-75335394757868282822015-12-16T10:35:00.002-08:002015-12-16T10:35:29.247-08:00Tom House<div style="text-align: center;">TOM HOUSE book from Rizzoli</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4oJTxZfMk2s/VnGurSwlcMI/AAAAAAAABMU/aSHW9ClJ1uM/s1600/TomHouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4oJTxZfMk2s/VnGurSwlcMI/AAAAAAAABMU/aSHW9ClJ1uM/s320/TomHouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TOM HOUSE book from Rizzoli available Spring 2016</td></tr></tbody></table><span class="mrs fsm fwn fcg"><span class="fsm fwn fcg"></span></span><br /><div class="mls" id="fbPhotoSnowliftAudienceSelector"><div class="mbs fbPhotosAudienceContainerEditable _1jam"><div class="_6a uiPopover _3iio _20np" id="u_jsonp_7_y"><a class="_42ft _4jy0 _55pi _5vto _55_p _2agf _p _1zg8 _4jy3 _517h _51sy _59pe" data-hover="tooltip" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=932032640197648&amp;set=a.100137056720548.50.100001727610147&amp;type=3&amp;theater&amp;notif_t=like#" id="u_jsonp_7_z" rel="toggle" role="button" style="max-width: 26px;"><span class="_55pe" style="max-width: 12px;"></span></a></div></div></div><span class="fcg" id="fbPhotoSnowliftProfileOnlyAttribution"></span><span id="fbPhotoSnowliftExpiration"></span><br /><span id="fbPhotoSnowliftViewOnApp"></span><span id="fbPhotoSnowliftUseApp"></span><div class="_xlr"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoContext" id="fbPhotoSnowliftContext"></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{&quot;tn&quot;:&quot;K&quot;}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br /><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_5671aec8773d11d40276962">The book project which I had the pleasure of working on this past spring in LA with the great guys from the Tom Of Finland Foundation, and Rizzoli. Available now for pre-order.<br /> <br /> RELEASE DATE: 8th March 2016<br /> PRE-ORDER NOW: <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F1T1OkGS&amp;h=VAQFiA_6b&amp;enc=AZPSqOqMbKcy2nqLQY-4dtMTyRtFbp6L_0tcOX0RZZeZ-HgfDCe9Vo_Pvnxpv9qHNrgRX7ruIeluAe3XYk6snkUOUJATNOdc5T_Nj64Ljg9GPBWia01GxEF96jkyZGTDwqSQmV5-fUHWmUX0aXJ0wo8q&amp;s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://amzn.to/1T1OkGS</a> <br /> An immersive glimpse into the private, domestic world of one of the twentieth century’s most revolutionary artists. Nestled in a leafy, residential secti<span class="text_exposed_show">on of Los Angeles is the house where Tom of Finland (Touko Laaksonen, Finnish, 1920–1991) lived and worked during the last decade of his life. It is an extraordinary place—part shrine, part haven, part art-historical archive, and part utopian collective. For additional insight, the revelatory photographs are paired with rarely seen preparatory drawings.<br /> Hardcover, 256 pages, Published by Rizzoli New York<br /> By Michael Reynolds (Author), Martyn Thompson (Photographer) and Mayer Rus (Contributor).</span></div></span></span></div>Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-75759480757016291462015-12-04T10:56:00.002-08:002015-12-04T10:56:46.816-08:00 James Surls Studio in Splendora by Alton DuLaney <div class="navbar section" id="navbar" name="Navbar"><div class="widget Navbar" id="Navbar1"> </div></div><div class="body-fauxcolumns"><div class="fauxcolumn-outer body-fauxcolumn-outer"><div class="cap-top"> </div><div class="fauxborder-left"> <div class="fauxcolumn-inner"></div></div><div class="cap-bottom"> </div></div></div><div class="content"><div class="content-fauxcolumns"><div class="fauxcolumn-outer content-fauxcolumn-outer"><div class="cap-top"> </div><div class="fauxborder-left"> <div class="fauxcolumn-inner"></div></div><div class="cap-bottom"> </div></div></div><div class="content-outer"><div class="content-cap-top cap-top"> </div><div class="fauxborder-left content-fauxborder-left"> <div class="content-inner"><header><div class="date-outer"><div class="header-cap-top cap-top"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="516858854727412746"></a></div><div class="date-posts"><br /><div class="post-outer"><div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template" itemprop="blogPost" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/BlogPosting"><div class="post-header"> </div><div class="footer-outer"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">James Surls Studio in Splendora by Alton DuLaney</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8QqttVI9RzM/Vh0qIDBGGLI/AAAAAAAABBw/mI6sBGrLaEM/s1600/Surls%2BPortrait.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8QqttVI9RzM/Vh0qIDBGGLI/AAAAAAAABBw/mI6sBGrLaEM/s320/Surls%2BPortrait.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portrait of James Surls (Artist Unknown) photo taken by Alton DuLaney October 2015 in Splendora</td></tr></tbody></table>The Contemporary Art Museum in Houston recently hosted a reading by Pete Gershon from his upcoming book titled "<span class="fsl">Pow Wow: Contemporary Artists in Houston 1972-1985." Gershon discusses at length the burgeoning contemporary art scene in Houston during the 1970's and 1980's and the artist that contributed to that movement.</span><br /><span class="fsl"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XkWm00GVd_g/Vh0qJNkC5hI/AAAAAAAABCA/5oPPRhhUdrI/s1600/Surls%2BTalk%2BCAM.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XkWm00GVd_g/Vh0qJNkC5hI/AAAAAAAABCA/5oPPRhhUdrI/s320/Surls%2BTalk%2BCAM.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete Gershon speaking at the CAM Houston, photo taken by Alton DuLaney October 2015 </td></tr></tbody></table><span class="fsl">It was fascinating to hear the tales of a bygone era in the Houston art-world, and especially to hear Gershon repeatedly mention the importance of famed Texas artist James Surls, who as Gershon describes, "</span><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">the chainsaw-wielding Surls established the Lawndale Annex as a largely unsupervised outpost of the University of Houston’s Art Department. Inside this dirty, cavernous warehouse, a new generation of Houston artists found itself and flourished." Fascinating for me, because for all those years Surls was based in the sleepy little town of Splendora, some 30 miles north of the Houston Art's District (which was not even called that yet!).&nbsp;</span></span><br /><br /><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">Splendora is also my home town. And I grew up just a few miles from Surls' fabled studio, and spent my teenage years working there as an intern.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lG24SfdLPF4/Vh0tuR1qw0I/AAAAAAAABCY/haVx7xP_Yv8/s1600/Splendora%2BGallery%2B1992.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lG24SfdLPF4/Vh0tuR1qw0I/AAAAAAAABCY/haVx7xP_Yv8/s320/Splendora%2BGallery%2B1992.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Splendora Gallery Award photo taken by Alton DuLaney October 2015 in Splendora</td></tr></tbody></table><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">Under the tutelage of James Surls, we started the Splendora Gallery, a short lived art space that exposed the locals to art and vice versa. Above, an original award sponsored by Splendora Gallery.</span></span><br /><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">After the CAM talk, James invited me out to meet him at his studio, to talk of things that went and things to come.</span></span><br /><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pv0av5QsuwA/Vh0qJBiTaQI/AAAAAAAABB8/HSQxJcd6ZrU/s1600/Surls%2BStudio.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pv0av5QsuwA/Vh0qJBiTaQI/AAAAAAAABB8/HSQxJcd6ZrU/s320/Surls%2BStudio.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The James Surls Studio photo taken by Alton DuLaney October 2015 in Splendora</td></tr></tbody></table><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">Nestled in the piney woods of Splendora, is Surls 13,000 square feet studio. Surls lived and worked in Splendora from 1977-1997, when he and his family relocated to Colorado. The studio, under the watchful eye of a caretaker, has sat silently amongst the trees for almost 20 years. Returning to the space recently, after all that time, was almost like visiting a time capsule.</span></span><br /><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U6_dE8tyrTo/Vh0qHI-poFI/AAAAAAAABBU/ut8GbA2sjo8/s1600/Surls%2BInterior1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U6_dE8tyrTo/Vh0qHI-poFI/AAAAAAAABBU/ut8GbA2sjo8/s320/Surls%2BInterior1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Surls Studio interior photo taken by Alton DuLaney October 2015 in Splendora</td></tr></tbody></table><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">Once upon a time this space hosted events, performances, exhibits, and birthed some incredible art projects and ideas, including a whole volume of Surls work.</span></span><br /><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XjqW2iVjFmg/Vh0xSUT1EtI/AAAAAAAABCo/u-pGhQYlJ-g/s1600/Surls%2BSplendora%2BYears.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XjqW2iVjFmg/Vh0xSUT1EtI/AAAAAAAABCo/u-pGhQYlJ-g/s320/Surls%2BSplendora%2BYears.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Surls "Splendora Years" photo by Alton DuLaney</td></tr></tbody></table>There is even a great book published of the era, called "Splendora Years" which contains images of the work he produced there in the Splendora Studio.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odXftOjG8oU/Vh0qGnsC2rI/AAAAAAAABBQ/x_XalIgwnHQ/s1600/Surls%2BInterior%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odXftOjG8oU/Vh0qGnsC2rI/AAAAAAAABBQ/x_XalIgwnHQ/s320/Surls%2BInterior%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Surls Studio interior photo taken by Alton DuLaney October 2015 in Splendora</td></tr></tbody></table>Years later, the studio sits practically empty, ready for its second act. Fortunately, years later, several of Surls' seven daughters are ready to breath new life into the space. And fortunate for me, I too am back in Splendora and ready to fan the creative flames.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ubrMcD82bM/Vh0qHpl7R3I/AAAAAAAABCE/5nuA3DV6JwQ/s1600/Surls%2BPetal.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ubrMcD82bM/Vh0qHpl7R3I/AAAAAAAABCE/5nuA3DV6JwQ/s320/Surls%2BPetal.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Surls studio detail, photo taken by Alton DuLaney October 2015 in Splendora</td></tr></tbody></table>Lurking in every corner, there is an ancient memory, a piece of a sculpture or a remnant of a performance, just sitting there quietly gathering dust, as the sun peers through over-sized windows. Above, one of Surls' famous flower petals.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Drlco40YmgM/Vh0qGWek_PI/AAAAAAAABBM/6w5IR6BmpyM/s1600/Surls%2BHouse%2BSculpture.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Drlco40YmgM/Vh0qGWek_PI/AAAAAAAABBM/6w5IR6BmpyM/s320/Surls%2BHouse%2BSculpture.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A James Surls sculpture in the studio, photo taken by Alton DuLaney October 2015 in Splendora</td></tr></tbody></table><br />While Surls' career has spanned decades, his style has remained distinguishable, with elements like home, wood, trees, eyes, axes, needles, and flowers always appearing in his work.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0hTzeOsQJPI/Vh0qIRZbRpI/AAAAAAAABBs/qmVmnCtusvc/s1600/Surls%2BSpike%2BSculpture.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0hTzeOsQJPI/Vh0qIRZbRpI/AAAAAAAABBs/qmVmnCtusvc/s320/Surls%2BSpike%2BSculpture.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A James Surls sculpture in the studio, photo taken by Alton DuLaney October 2015 in Splendora</td></tr></tbody></table>Stacked in corners and suspended from the rafters, a history of his work stands the test of time, silent sentinels watching over his kingdom.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2HhCOETw4ig/Vh0qFAe6z9I/AAAAAAAABA8/_2Pcz-Q3TYY/s1600/Surls%2BCross.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2HhCOETw4ig/Vh0qFAe6z9I/AAAAAAAABA8/_2Pcz-Q3TYY/s320/Surls%2BCross.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A James Surls sculpture in the studio, photo taken by Alton DuLaney October 2015 in Splendora</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Looking like alien trees, or ancient tools of torture, Surls' work seamlessly flows between the natural world and the art world, incorporating elements of both.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gxtrlKi6PsA/Vh0qFG9ldYI/AAAAAAAABAo/sLk5nmTi0Dg/s1600/Surls%2BBack%2BPorch.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gxtrlKi6PsA/Vh0qFG9ldYI/AAAAAAAABAo/sLk5nmTi0Dg/s320/Surls%2BBack%2BPorch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Surls Studio, back porch, photo taken by Alton DuLaney October 2015 in Splendora</td></tr></tbody></table><br />On the back porch, where long conference tables once entertained Texas art royalty, a modern-day American Gothic unfolds without the slightest hint of irony or pretense, now graced only by an ambitious spider or an ornery dirt-dobber.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGH6j_xbHIU/Vh0qGOks-8I/AAAAAAAABCM/Mw9BNu5G0ZA/s1600/Surls%2BGraveyard.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UGH6j_xbHIU/Vh0qGOks-8I/AAAAAAAABCM/Mw9BNu5G0ZA/s320/Surls%2BGraveyard.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A James Surls sculpture reclaimed by nature, photo taken by Alton DuLaney October 2015 in Splendora</td></tr></tbody></table>Scattered amid the pine trees, one might come across the remains of a long-lost sculpture, like this one, actively being reclaimed by nature. Famously, this sculpture was once set on fire, by another artist who did not approve of Surls' rise in fame and regard.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPp_ZXiVc8I/Vh0qFEvvejI/AAAAAAAABA4/4V5GKsHuztw/s1600/Surls%2BCoil.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPp_ZXiVc8I/Vh0qFEvvejI/AAAAAAAABA4/4V5GKsHuztw/s320/Surls%2BCoil.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A James Surls sculpture at the studio, photo taken by Alton DuLaney October 2015 in Splendora</td></tr></tbody></table>The Surls compound covers hundreds of acres of thick woods. Around the studio grounds, art camouflages in with its surroundings. This metal spiral looks as if it could have grown right where it sits.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FqDcRVr0iCc/Vh0qIcB01II/AAAAAAAABB4/g7Q2tkoArhQ/s1600/Surls%2BScultpure%2Bwith%2BBMW.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FqDcRVr0iCc/Vh0qIcB01II/AAAAAAAABB4/g7Q2tkoArhQ/s320/Surls%2BScultpure%2Bwith%2BBMW.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A James Surls sculpture in front of the studio, photo taken by Alton DuLaney October 2015 in Splendora</td></tr></tbody></table>Some pieces, as part of series, are immediately recognizable, and still hold their magic, though they have suffered the ravages of time.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-79BoMl4WczU/Vh0qHZQJwGI/AAAAAAAABCI/bVpozK1dKFc/s1600/Surls%2BOriginal%2BStudio.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-79BoMl4WczU/Vh0qHZQJwGI/AAAAAAAABCI/bVpozK1dKFc/s320/Surls%2BOriginal%2BStudio.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The James Surls original studio, photo taken by Alton DuLaney October 2015 in Splendora</td></tr></tbody></table>Even the original studio, a mere tin building, still stands, and now houses the grounds-keeper.<br /><br />Now, all these years later, the studio is ready to be reborn as a cultural gathering point and artistic incubator. Surls and his daughters, are now working to create a lasting legacy for the artist and his work and his family. In many ways it is an exciting time to live in Splendora, and as always, it is great to call such an accomplished artist, a mentor, an inspiration, and a friend!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gBEnkGrjJNE/Vh0qJixJ40I/AAAAAAAABCQ/RVwuhlC7q70/s1600/Surls%2Bwith%2BRed%2BTruck.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gBEnkGrjJNE/Vh0qJixJ40I/AAAAAAAABCQ/RVwuhlC7q70/s320/Surls%2Bwith%2BRed%2BTruck.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Surls in Splendora photographed by Alton DuLaney October 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span><div class="footer-cap-bottom cap-bottom"> </div></div></div></div></div></div></header><footer></footer> </div></div><div class="content-cap-bottom cap-bottom"> </div></div></div>Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-1793542727219981422015-11-10T09:55:00.002-08:002015-11-10T09:55:20.052-08:00SCAR - Gail Chovan's 18th Annual Fashion Show in Austin Texas.<div style="text-align: center;">SCAR 18 - Gail Chovan fashion show by Alton DuLaney</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FakiTnxZ_Fg/VjjvFkQTd2I/AAAAAAAABGA/lYnob2b-Agc/s1600/SCAR1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FakiTnxZ_Fg/VjjvFkQTd2I/AAAAAAAABGA/lYnob2b-Agc/s320/SCAR1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gail Chovan Fashion Show November 1, 2015 in Austin, Texas photograph by Alton DuLaney</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;This past weekend I had the pleasure to attend and participate in Gail Chovan's 18th annual fashion event called SCAR in Austin, Texas. I have been involved with her shows since their inception in 1998, to greater or lesser degrees. This year, being based in Texas, gave me easy access to the event, and I got to spend more time with the designer before, during, and after the show, as well as contribute to the design and styling of the event.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-noN7aYDH0hA/VjjvGoanv6I/AAAAAAAABHM/H_y9hdo1J34/s1600/SCAR2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-noN7aYDH0hA/VjjvGoanv6I/AAAAAAAABHM/H_y9hdo1J34/s320/SCAR2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gail Chovan Atelier in Austin, Texas photograph by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>Gail Chovan has dedicated her life to the Art of Fashion. She studied fashion design in Paris, before moving to Austin, Texas 20 years ago. In Austin, she has became a fashion legend, starting the iconic boutique Blackmail in 1997, and having held annual fashion shows ever year since. She now shows her collection at the Void Showroom in Paris, and at various boutiques around the world, including Blackmail on South Congress Avenue, in Austin.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UK-XIHVdTBA/VjjvG3hBSaI/AAAAAAAABGk/YW3uxgN-NCY/s1600/SCAR4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UK-XIHVdTBA/VjjvG3hBSaI/AAAAAAAABGk/YW3uxgN-NCY/s320/SCAR4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Gail Chovan Atelier in Austin, photograph by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>The Gail Chovan Atelier on South 1st Street in Austin is a hubbub of activity and creative chaos. I arrived the morning of the show and the team was scrambling to get all the last minute adjustments completed.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yA1pzNbS2jM/VjjvG413YWI/AAAAAAAABHA/P7lZRfqhYX4/s1600/SCAR3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yA1pzNbS2jM/VjjvG413YWI/AAAAAAAABHA/P7lZRfqhYX4/s320/SCAR3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Gail Chovan Atelier in Austin, photograph by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Chovan's team includes design assistants, interns, stichers, hair and make up team, set designers, production designers, and numerous other creative consultants such as myself.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ej4x_BFxpFI/VjjymJCnPnI/AAAAAAAABHo/ZbLTC7ExCcM/s1600/AldoAtAtelier.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ej4x_BFxpFI/VjjymJCnPnI/AAAAAAAABHo/ZbLTC7ExCcM/s320/AldoAtAtelier.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Assistant Aldo at the Gail Chovan Atelier in Austin photograph by Alton DuLaney 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Even I have an assistant, Aldo offers a lot of support and inspiration on all my creative endeavors.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56mUgsrrqPo/VjjvKsK-DII/AAAAAAAABG4/_nyUoxcXK4I/s1600/SCAR9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-56mUgsrrqPo/VjjvKsK-DII/AAAAAAAABG4/_nyUoxcXK4I/s320/SCAR9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gail Chovan Fashion Show in Austin Texas photographed by Alton DuLaney</td></tr></tbody></table>Meanwhile over at the event space, a beautiful Victorian home in downtown Austin, the production team was busy setting things up and getting everything ready for the big event.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5gWvaYUk6Yk/VjjvHXukDqI/AAAAAAAABHI/XsezA4kiKC8/s1600/SCAR5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5gWvaYUk6Yk/VjjvHXukDqI/AAAAAAAABHI/XsezA4kiKC8/s320/SCAR5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gail Chovan backstage at SCAR in Austin, Texas photographed by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>Backstage, the team was busy with hair and makeup, fittings, and last minute styling of the models and the collection. In all 15 models would be sent down the runway.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILXPRmn79QM/VjjvHvE-DeI/AAAAAAAABHE/2f7wUVdcaiQ/s1600/SCAR6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILXPRmn79QM/VjjvHvE-DeI/AAAAAAAABHE/2f7wUVdcaiQ/s320/SCAR6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gail Chovan with Stylelikeu documentary team in Austin Texas photographed by Alton DuLaney 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>There was also a documentary team there from NYC, Stylelikeu, <a href="http://stylelikeu.com/">http://stylelikeu.com/</a> who are working on a documentary of Gail Chovan's life and art, and that of her husband Evan Voyles. The team has been following and documenting Gail for over a year now.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OMeRQOUztMk/VjjvE5RDoZI/AAAAAAAABHY/RTk0WJW3zTg/s1600/SCAR.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="106" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OMeRQOUztMk/VjjvE5RDoZI/AAAAAAAABHY/RTk0WJW3zTg/s320/SCAR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alton DuLaney and Creed styling the pool fashion installation for Gail Chovan in Austin Texas photo by Todd Wolfson</td></tr></tbody></table>I was put in charge of the pool installation, which involved rigging a cat walk and modeling platform suspended over a pool on the grounds. Gail's son Creed helped me style the space with scraps of fabrics, pieces of patterns, and eucalyptus before bringing out the model.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B-PGwCFGY_k/VjjvH5eFmFI/AAAAAAAABGw/Ww1QN1Popx8/s1600/SCAR7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B-PGwCFGY_k/VjjvH5eFmFI/AAAAAAAABGw/Ww1QN1Popx8/s320/SCAR7.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pool Fashion Installation executed and styled by Alton DuLaney in Austin Texas November 2015.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The model, Kaidon Ho, was drapped in vintage lace and precariously placed in the middle of the pool to greet guests as they arrived for the fashion show.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6PxDeWpxlBA/VjjvKkHtH2I/AAAAAAAABG8/lAvDXYHEccA/s1600/SCAR8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6PxDeWpxlBA/VjjvKkHtH2I/AAAAAAAABG8/lAvDXYHEccA/s320/SCAR8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alton DuLaney and Kaidon Ho photographed by Ellen Bartel in Austin Texas November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After all models were dressed and in their places, we all got to relax a little with some champagne and take some photos posing with our handiwork.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rxn3RzDPHcI/VjjvFfEAOsI/AAAAAAAABGI/XBBVGVBjlkU/s1600/SCAR10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rxn3RzDPHcI/VjjvFfEAOsI/AAAAAAAABGI/XBBVGVBjlkU/s320/SCAR10.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gail Chovan fashion show SCAR in Austin Texas photographed by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The main fashion show started exactly at dusk. To the musical accompaniment of a saw, the models made their way across the lawn, surrounded by candles and hundreds of fashionistas, buyers, fans, and guests, who came to see the show. The collection was a celebration of the imperfect, with unfinished edges, raw and jagged cuts, grafting fabrics, and other fashion techniques employed to highlight the nature of scarring. Chovan herself is a breast-cancer survivor and wears the scars of her double mastectomy proudly across her chest, visible in her plunging necklines and low cut, transparent gowns.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gail's family sat on the front row, other guests sat on carpets or stood to get a better view. Afterwards, a round of thunderous applause was followed by champagne fueled mingling about the grounds and within the three-story home. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QoFNw2vjAEg/VjjvGahKg0I/AAAAAAAABGY/0_gSZeuFxj4/s1600/SCAR12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QoFNw2vjAEg/VjjvGahKg0I/AAAAAAAABGY/0_gSZeuFxj4/s320/SCAR12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gail Chovan, fashion maven, in Austin Texas.</td></tr></tbody></table>The response was positive, and the press, both in Paris and in Austin, was supportive. All in all another very successful show.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OKEdZ5IUrnY/VjjvFmYVp7I/AAAAAAAABHU/AR4ddE_9yik/s1600/SCAR11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OKEdZ5IUrnY/VjjvFmYVp7I/AAAAAAAABHU/AR4ddE_9yik/s320/SCAR11.jpg" width="294" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gail Chovan teaching fashion design at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas</td></tr></tbody></table>The next morning, I got to discuss the challenges of living a creative life and producing art with Gail at her office and classroom at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas, where she teaches design.<br /><br />Gail Chovan is not only a dedicated designer, but an inspiration to many.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.gailchovan.com/">http://www.gailchovan.com/</a>Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-28846674027288945252015-11-10T09:52:00.002-08:002015-11-10T09:52:57.216-08:00The Detroit Institute of Arts by Alton DuLaney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;The Detroit Institute of Arts by Alton DuLaney</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RRE1Hg_JDX4/VkImN5A0e9I/AAAAAAAABII/uRe9Z6WZ6_Q/s1600/DIA1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RRE1Hg_JDX4/VkImN5A0e9I/AAAAAAAABII/uRe9Z6WZ6_Q/s320/DIA1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) in Detroit photographed by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>Located in Detroit, Michigan, the Detroit Institute of Arts, or the DIA, is considered one of the top museums in the USA, with over 650,000 square feet of exhibit space, and a collection of over 65,000 works valued at over 8 billion dollars.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BK5HMfyrICo/VkImOtRADDI/AAAAAAAABJk/Vz3XD0gYASw/s1600/DIA2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BK5HMfyrICo/VkImOtRADDI/AAAAAAAABJk/Vz3XD0gYASw/s320/DIA2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diego Rivera at the DIA photographed by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>The museum is famous for a few things, among them it was the first museum to purchase a Van Gogh in the USA. But more famous than the Van Gogh, is the Diego Rivera frescos titled, Detroit Industry, that celebrates Detroit's industrial and automotive past in Rivera's signature muralistic style. The installation fills the upper and lower levels of the grand marble court of the museum, and is a powerful testament and tribute to Rivera and the Motor City.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UTxiG8TahQM/VkImOxkIg-I/AAAAAAAABJU/fMW2vd_DP5w/s1600/DIA3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UTxiG8TahQM/VkImOxkIg-I/AAAAAAAABJU/fMW2vd_DP5w/s320/DIA3.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picasso at DIA photographed by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--x_edo8IJf4/VkImO3yx2bI/AAAAAAAABJE/eQ5p86EQuzM/s1600/DIA4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--x_edo8IJf4/VkImO3yx2bI/AAAAAAAABJE/eQ5p86EQuzM/s320/DIA4.jpg" width="287" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leger at DIA photographed by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>The museum also has a great collection of the masters, from Picasso to Van Gogh to Oldenburg to Giacometti to Leger. Everything you would expect from a world class museum.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UsHCFfgRnIw/VkImPeXTLiI/AAAAAAAABJA/q5ysAfA7-Yo/s1600/DIA5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UsHCFfgRnIw/VkImPeXTLiI/AAAAAAAABJA/q5ysAfA7-Yo/s320/DIA5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Albers at DIA photographed by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;There was also a great collection of some of my favorite "cubist" art pieces - that is artist that use cubes or other geometric shapes in their work. Joseph Albers is always a favorite, with his subtle hues.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gApI2xjR4tU/VkImPeQcWJI/AAAAAAAABJI/10EW7kzLpk8/s1600/DIA6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gApI2xjR4tU/VkImPeQcWJI/AAAAAAAABJI/10EW7kzLpk8/s320/DIA6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duchamp at DIA photographed by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;This piece with no title or visible marks on the canvas is a minimalist conceptual piece by Marcel Duchamp. Clearly he loved a good concept. And so do I.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p4B-NeDXsBk/VkImPmS02JI/AAAAAAAABJQ/jRoomWnd5gM/s1600/DIA7.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p4B-NeDXsBk/VkImPmS02JI/AAAAAAAABJQ/jRoomWnd5gM/s320/DIA7.jpg" width="255" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rothkoat DIA photographed by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>Mark Rothko is always lovely to behold, with his vibrant colors and graphic compositions.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-9IFPwbX7I/VkImPwft3QI/AAAAAAAABJM/xyxU3F-x3p4/s1600/DIA8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-9IFPwbX7I/VkImPwft3QI/AAAAAAAABJM/xyxU3F-x3p4/s320/DIA8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stella at DIA photographed by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>Frank Stella jumps off the wall with bold colors and strong shapes in this rare 2-d piece. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dztZPGIREvs/VkImP5BVlwI/AAAAAAAABJY/oJUehCk3AjI/s1600/DIA9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dztZPGIREvs/VkImP5BVlwI/AAAAAAAABJY/oJUehCk3AjI/s320/DIA9.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Judd at DIA photographed by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>And being from Texas, I have to give a shout out to Marfa's favorite adopted son, Donald Judd, whose metal lit boxes seduce the viewer with light and shadow.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gFoNyrjQFWE/VkImNwz4p_I/AAAAAAAABJs/pqvvrShm3TM/s1600/DIA10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gFoNyrjQFWE/VkImNwz4p_I/AAAAAAAABJs/pqvvrShm3TM/s320/DIA10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warhol at DIA photographed by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;In addition to the cubes, there are representations from some of my favorite experimentally conceptual artist, including the omnipresent Andy Warhol, above.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_ARrxJhB6M/VkImOUPYcKI/AAAAAAAABJc/YsTfV20BPCg/s1600/DIA12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_ARrxJhB6M/VkImOUPYcKI/AAAAAAAABJc/YsTfV20BPCg/s320/DIA12.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koons at DIA photographed by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Jeff Koons can do no wrong as long as he keeps tittilating the art world into conversation. His pastries under glass evoke one of my favorite questions "Is this art?"<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2w6MW2bi63s/VkImOSeKFII/AAAAAAAABJg/14DtpAkdWB0/s1600/DIA13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2w6MW2bi63s/VkImOSeKFII/AAAAAAAABJg/14DtpAkdWB0/s320/DIA13.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abramovich at DIA photographed by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>The patron saint of performance art, Marina Abramovich has her token video included in the collection reminding naysayers "don't cry over spilled milk!"<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XunFbwGDjfo/VkImNx7700I/AAAAAAAABJo/laIcMLcTHDA/s1600/DIA11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XunFbwGDjfo/VkImNx7700I/AAAAAAAABJo/laIcMLcTHDA/s320/DIA11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brecht at DIA photographed by Alton DuLaney November 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>And then we have George Brecht with his public service announcement wallpaper: No Smoking. But really, who smokes anymore?<br /><br />After spending the whole afternoon at the Detroit Institute of Arts I concluded that the museum lives up to its image and reputation, as a world class museum, in what was once a major capital of the US, (and this determination was arrived at without even seeing thee special exhibit, 30 Americans - oh well, there is always next time.)<br /><br />For more info: <a href="http://www.dia.org/">http://www.dia.org/</a> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2w6MW2bi63s/VkImOSeKFII/AAAAAAAABJg/14DtpAkdWB0/s1600/DIA13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br />Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-1762350319769555952015-11-10T08:08:00.000-08:002015-11-10T08:08:43.963-08:00MailArt - Finding Forrest Prince<div style="text-align: center;">Mail Art: Finding Forrest Prince by Alton DuLaney</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dPojFBFSzoo/VkITqk0DCNI/AAAAAAAABH4/OXHmDqX5Fj4/s1600/ForrestPrinceFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dPojFBFSzoo/VkITqk0DCNI/AAAAAAAABH4/OXHmDqX5Fj4/s320/ForrestPrinceFront.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mail Art to Forrest Prince from Alton DuLaney November 10, 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>Years ago, a lifetime really, when my great mentor and pen-pal Ernie "Lucky" Johnston was attempting to nurture and further my interest in the Houston art scene, we would go on various field-trips into the city to see exhibits at galleries or meet an artist of note. One such artist that I was introduced to was a saint-like creative named Forrest Prince. An afternoon at his sprawling house and studio involved seeing art, drinking fresh carrot juice, discussing love for humanity, and perhaps a reading assignment.<br /><br />Years passed as they sometime do, and life unfolds into many different directions, but the path does sometimes lead us back around to intercept the influential or to provide a gentle reminder. Now, back in Houston and once again curious as to the Houston art scene, I pondered aloud if Forrest Prince was still around and making his mark on the work through his art and his philanthropy. That's when I came across one of the books Forrest gave me way back when, and inside was stamped his address and a few positive messages.<br /><br />Rising to the challenge, I created this small piece of mail-art, embellished with color copies of his own stamped address and messages of peace, I fashioned a splatter painted envelope and note card, affixed two painting-postage stamps, and dashed my message of to Mr. Prince, sealing it with a gold foil <a href="http://amzn.to/1GVbUnH">embossed seal</a> of ART.<br /><br />Where in the world is Forrest Prince? Stay tuned for the results of my mail art performance, Finding Forrest Prince.<br /><br /><br />Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-63460986150952393232015-10-09T12:02:00.001-07:002015-10-09T13:29:35.251-07:00Tom Of Finland Arts and Culture Fair October 2-4, 2015, Los Angeles.<div style="text-align: center;">Tom Of Finland Arts and Culture Fair 2015</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9P4g3UuF3ic/VhgKKzrfh_I/AAAAAAAAA-s/SMOam80fN00/s1600/TOF%2BArtFair1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="269" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9P4g3UuF3ic/VhgKKzrfh_I/AAAAAAAAA-s/SMOam80fN00/s320/TOF%2BArtFair1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TOF Art Fair Program photographed by Alton DuLaney October 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This past weekend, the Tom Of Finland Foundation hosted its 21st annual Arts and Culture Fair at the Tom House in Los Angeles. Tom Of Finland, known as the "world's most famous pornographer", lived and worked out of a rambling craftsman-style house for the last 20 years of his life. In the mid 80's he started a foundation to help promote and preserve queer and erotic art, which included this annual fair, as well as many other cultural outreach initiatives. What started as a fringe movement has gradually became mainstream, with Tom Of Finland's work now in the collection of major art institutions including MOMA, LACMA, MOCA, The Getty, as well as numerous other private and public collections.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The art fair has grown and evolved over the years, dropping the word "erotic" and adding the word "culture" and this year featured over 30 artists from around the world.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NJYbhkLnfRk/VhgKWjqBF5I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/9a0lGbNTMgg/s1600/TOF%2BExhibit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NJYbhkLnfRk/VhgKWjqBF5I/AAAAAAAAA_Y/9a0lGbNTMgg/s320/TOF%2BExhibit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alton DuLaney photographs at the TOF Art Fair in Los Angeles October 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>Among the artists presenting their work were photographers, painters, sketch artists, filmmakers, writers, performers, and poets - including the recently appointed Poet Laureate of West Hollywood - Steven Reigns. Artists exhibited their work within the sprawling compound in tents and pavilions across the estate and terraces. My space was in the back pavilion near the main stage, and had a beautiful view out across the hills of the Hollywood sign.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oXRHKzNacAg/VhgKHnIJn6I/AAAAAAAAA-c/Osf_Yt8gY9w/s1600/TOF%2BAlton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oXRHKzNacAg/VhgKHnIJn6I/AAAAAAAAA-c/Osf_Yt8gY9w/s320/TOF%2BAlton.jpg" width="314" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alton DuLaney photograph of Michael James at the Tom Of Finland Arts and Culture Fair Oct 2-4, 2015.</td></tr></tbody></table>The foundation did an excellent job of promoting the event&nbsp; on social media and in local press. The event started Friday evening with a film screening, and went throughout the weekend events all day.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4RSgeGi2R4/VhgK5yH02xI/AAAAAAAABAM/JgY5XEbkkZE/s1600/TOF%2BGioBP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4RSgeGi2R4/VhgK5yH02xI/AAAAAAAABAM/JgY5XEbkkZE/s320/TOF%2BGioBP.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gio Black Peter at TOF Arts Fair in LA photographed by Alton DuLaney Oct 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the artist I was most excited to meet was Gio Black Peter from NYC. He is an urban artist who got his start painting on subway maps and other found materials. In 2011 cult director and producer Bruce La Bruce directed a short video for Gio, helping to propel his career. Now Gio shows his work across the country, and performs regularly in clubs and galleries in NYC.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l0Wr6R6KQJk/VhgKjh8awQI/AAAAAAAAA_8/ZmGCGR_XGwQ/s1600/TOF%2BVintage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l0Wr6R6KQJk/VhgKjh8awQI/AAAAAAAAA_8/ZmGCGR_XGwQ/s320/TOF%2BVintage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The History of Queer Photography at TOF Arts Fair in LA photographed by Alton DuLaney Oct 2-5, 2015</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the most captivating exhibits was a history of queer photography shown in vintage photos and tin types, presented in a beautiful display case with a magnifying glass provided for a more intimate viewing. This really felt special and important, and gave a personal face and glimpse into the lives of pioneering men and women who faced enormous challenges in expressing their true selves. Picking up the magnifying glass, and peering into this case, was like looking into the past, providing a appreciative perspective on the present and even more hope for the future.</div>&nbsp; <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5NG-B4v_Ke4/VhgKRQmXFgI/AAAAAAAAA_E/cGrWsC-0J_k/s1600/TOF%2BDrawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5NG-B4v_Ke4/VhgKRQmXFgI/AAAAAAAAA_E/cGrWsC-0J_k/s320/TOF%2BDrawing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing workshop at TOF Arts Fair in LA Oct 2-4, 2015.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;In addition to the exhibiting artists, there was also a drawing workshop in session both days with live nude models. Artists were invited to bring their sketchbook and attempt their own masterpiece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s_66V1KmdZw/VhgKZK7skvI/AAAAAAAAA_k/Lh2FfU8rtj8/s1600/TOF%2BPerformance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s_66V1KmdZw/VhgKZK7skvI/AAAAAAAAA_k/Lh2FfU8rtj8/s320/TOF%2BPerformance.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dungeon performance at TOF Arts Fair in LA October 2-4, 2015.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>&nbsp;Performances were also a big part of the fair including endurance performances in the dungeon, and other entertainers, readers and speakers on the two stages.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iahaNxOr0xU/VhgKXs75m6I/AAAAAAAAA_c/-sMzCbjb_J0/s1600/TOF%2BPerform.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iahaNxOr0xU/VhgKXs75m6I/AAAAAAAAA_c/-sMzCbjb_J0/s320/TOF%2BPerform.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jordan performing at the TOF Arts Fair in LA Oct 2-4, 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Perhaps the most riveting performance was when LA performance artist Jordan was joined on stage by two men in full leather who assisted with a 'golden shower' scene for the finale of the piece.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7aAjIqC6_-o/VhgKctqYqyI/AAAAAAAAA_s/l0KtlclE9LE/s1600/TOF%2BStarrfux.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7aAjIqC6_-o/VhgKctqYqyI/AAAAAAAAA_s/l0KtlclE9LE/s320/TOF%2BStarrfux.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starrfucker Magazine at TOF Arts Fair in LA photographed by Alton DuLaney Oct 2-5, 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The culture element of the festival was perhaps most enlightening as it showed what a wide influence Tom Of Finland has had on culture over the decades. There were several authors and publishers on hand, inlcuding the fetish magazine STARRFUCKER, which drew a large crowd of models and artists hoping to get published.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wIdU0BVPNG4/VhgKNIhhnxI/AAAAAAAAA-0/cCLdr2w0pXs/s1600/TOF%2BBio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wIdU0BVPNG4/VhgKNIhhnxI/AAAAAAAAA-0/cCLdr2w0pXs/s320/TOF%2BBio.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom Of Finland biography by E. Valentine Hooven III</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One author who was great to meet and chat with was E. Valentine Hooven III who wrote the very first authorized&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/1MlgFHz">Biography of Tom Of Finland</a> . Having read this book, and gifted it to many friends, it was a pleasure to finally meet the man behind the words. He was a kind and generous speaker who encouraged mentoring among his older peers, and community outreach among his younger fans.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iaRNh1WHDjk/VhgK1OlB_tI/AAAAAAAABAE/V5SHE7jyzoE/s1600/TOF%2BCastro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iaRNh1WHDjk/VhgK1OlB_tI/AAAAAAAABAE/V5SHE7jyzoE/s320/TOF%2BCastro.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rick Castro at the TOF Arts Fair in LA Oct 2-5, 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There were also lifetime achievement awards presented to key members of the arts community including Rick Castro. A lifelong LA resident, Castro was co-producer and co-director of the cult classic "Hustler White" and now runs a successful gallery in Hollywood called Antebellum Gallery which promotes queer/erotic/fetish artists.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YFeJcpEAsTY/VhgKQ0QUXuI/AAAAAAAAA_A/LkWVWfMACVg/s1600/TOF%2BBoutique.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YFeJcpEAsTY/VhgKQ0QUXuI/AAAAAAAAA_A/LkWVWfMACVg/s320/TOF%2BBoutique.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TOF Boutique at the TOF Arts Fair in LA Oct 2-4, 2015.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;In addition to art, the Tom Of Finland image and brand is also now used on a wide variety of products, on everything from&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/1MlhiRI">French perfume</a> to Finish postage stamps, to Italian rugs, to American condoms, sex toys and <a href="http://amzn.to/1WRSiVb">lube</a>. Above is a shot from the TOF boutique, showing just a small selection of the offerings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--CF3jLUB4wg/VhgKTlp1q6I/AAAAAAAAA_M/z5-1hjvVaIM/s1600/TOF%2BDurk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--CF3jLUB4wg/VhgKTlp1q6I/AAAAAAAAA_M/z5-1hjvVaIM/s320/TOF%2BDurk.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Durk Dehner at TOF Arts Fair in LA photographed by Alton DuLaney Oct 2-5, 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a great honor to be a part of the festival, being invited to stay at the foundation, and seeing the work involved in organizing an event on this scale. The work starts long before the guests arrive and ends long after the curtain is drawn. On Monday morning, after three action packed days, those of us at the foundation were still on site cleaning up and breaking down. Never one to shy away from getting his hands dirty, TOFF Founder Durk Dehner shows that the staff at TOFF do whatever it takes to get the job done.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lhe_dilk1d4/VhgKKoHylVI/AAAAAAAAA-o/qHz6u2c63To/s1600/TOF%2BAldo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lhe_dilk1d4/VhgKKoHylVI/AAAAAAAAA-o/qHz6u2c63To/s320/TOF%2BAldo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aldo, the Tom Of Finland mascot, at TOF Arts Fair in LA photographed by Alton DuLaney Oct 2-5, 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;It was a rewarding and exhausting arts fair for all involved. The foundation chose 5 of my photographs to add to their archives and warmly invited me back for future events. After 6 days in LA, I packed my bags, grabbed my dog Aldo, and headed to the airport for a late flight back to Texas.<br /><br />For more info on this or other Tom Of Finland events, check out their website, sign up for the newsletter, and when in LA, volunteer!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.worldoftomoffinland.com/tomsblog/?p=16323">http://www.worldoftomoffinland.com/tomsblog/?p=16323</a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-46410246781931810112015-09-27T19:54:00.001-07:002015-09-27T21:06:44.488-07:00The Art and Craft of the Homecoming Mum!<div style="text-align: center;">The ART and craft of the Homecoming Mum</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P2jvaiYIfuU/VgitZGXHNzI/AAAAAAAAA4w/dM3qdSoW-ZE/s1600/MumCrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P2jvaiYIfuU/VgitZGXHNzI/AAAAAAAAA4w/dM3qdSoW-ZE/s320/MumCrop.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homecoming ART Mum by Alton DuLaney September 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;There is a tradition that happens in Texas in the fall that people take very seriously. Once school gets back into session, and calendars start making autumnal threats, the anticipation starts building for the big homecoming game. But it's not just the game of football that is played competitively, girls show their school spirit and team pride by festooning themselves with the extravagant creations known as the Homecoming Mum.<br /><br />Originally the tradition started out as a corsage given to any girl in the Homecoming Court by her date, which was usually no more than a live Chrysanthemum embellished with a few ribbons. But overtime it has adopted the Texas motto of "Bigger is Better", and girls across campus and across ages compete to see&nbsp; who has the biggest and most beautiful mum. And these things get very expensive, as any trip to a craft store will attest, with girls and their mothers putting together a signature concoction. After recently viewing the phenomenon myself at flower shops and crafting stores, I decided that I, too, would try my hand at this Texas hobby.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NSEVlnY93RU/VgitfDbR6mI/AAAAAAAAA5g/XAXsSTXQtCY/s1600/MumSupplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NSEVlnY93RU/VgitfDbR6mI/AAAAAAAAA5g/XAXsSTXQtCY/s320/MumSupplies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homecoming Mum supplies photographed by Alton DuLaney September 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>The first thing to do is get your supplies together. Materials you might want include silk mums in several sizes and colors, spools of ribbon, colorful paper, decorative objects, and of course your scissors, tape, staples, and glue. I use a&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/1MT4LG9">long arm stapler</a> as this allows a great reach when stapling ribbon.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nr7m_rphQ7E/VgitY9_0TZI/AAAAAAAAA40/X57lBG1f-G0/s1600/MumBase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nr7m_rphQ7E/VgitY9_0TZI/AAAAAAAAA40/X57lBG1f-G0/s320/MumBase.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homecoming Mum, getting started, photographed by Alton DuLaney September 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>To get started, use a cardboard disc, or&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/1h1tgT8">mum backer card</a> to begin attaching first rows of loops and ribbons. I chose a patriotic pallet of red, white, and blue. But whatever your colors, I suggest laying things out to get a good look at placement and material allocation.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fnRi1s-kgLk/VgitXzxzroI/AAAAAAAAA4k/xSEDjzp0ft8/s1600/MumArt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fnRi1s-kgLk/VgitXzxzroI/AAAAAAAAA4k/xSEDjzp0ft8/s320/MumArt.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ART Mum How-to by Alton DuLaney September 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>Next add your message ribbon, of whichever ribbon you want to be most visible. I visited my lcocal floral shop (Thank you Sweetie Pies in Splendora, Texas!!) and had this ribbon printed, but you can also find a lot of readily available printed ribbon online.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-owkvgM7GcjE/VgitcZ-tX1I/AAAAAAAAA5Q/LKgF1Yk_Kls/s1600/MumRibbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-owkvgM7GcjE/VgitcZ-tX1I/AAAAAAAAA5Q/LKgF1Yk_Kls/s320/MumRibbon.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braided Ribbon for Homecoming Mums photographed by Alton DuLaney September 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>Specialty ribbon is a big hit and adds texture and dimension. I braided the above ribbons after watching some how-to videos on YouTube. The big trend in Homecoming Mums right now is ribbon variety, including the popular&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/1h1toSP">honeycomb ribbon</a> , which is available in a variety of colors.<br /><br />As you continue to add different cuts of ribbon and decoration, glue each strand to back of disc to add to the thickness of the Mum.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQNVMkWuNQg/VgitYRPOMRI/AAAAAAAAA4s/10MFK0ItFaA/s1600/MumBack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQNVMkWuNQg/VgitYRPOMRI/AAAAAAAAA4s/10MFK0ItFaA/s320/MumBack.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear view of Mum with paper fan folds by Alton DuLaney September 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>As you can see from above, I added many layers of ribbon and even some paper fan folds for added pizzazz! <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oovf8spnF6E/VgiuuB_zazI/AAAAAAAAA50/6qxDKTafjCs/s1600/MumFlower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oovf8spnF6E/VgiuuB_zazI/AAAAAAAAA50/6qxDKTafjCs/s320/MumFlower.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Homecoming Mum flower by Alton DuLaney September 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>For the actual mum, I combine two silk flowers, with tube ribbon, battery operated lights, and&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/1MzEolP">feather butterflies</a>&nbsp; .<a href="http://feather butterflies"><br /></a><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KmDYXDOinkE/Vgiup-dcjoI/AAAAAAAAA5s/nH-PgU15l-Q/s1600/MumBellsWhistles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KmDYXDOinkE/Vgiup-dcjoI/AAAAAAAAA5s/nH-PgU15l-Q/s320/MumBellsWhistles.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homecoming Mum detail by Alton DuLaney September 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp; A detail of some of the additions: feather balls, glitter stars, curled paper ribbon, the whole shebang! I even added bells and&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/1MzEARX">whistles</a> !<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BEG0XHLoDlk/VgitaD1yqeI/AAAAAAAAA5A/v_gPEBfPrF8/s1600/MumFinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BEG0XHLoDlk/VgitaD1yqeI/AAAAAAAAA5A/v_gPEBfPrF8/s320/MumFinal.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ART Homecoming Mum by Alton DuLaney September 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;The final results is a festive flower that looks as if a wrapped gift exploded, with ribbons and adornments hangs in thick layers.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P5MMnEfDuo4/Vgitbw8WssI/AAAAAAAAA5M/5PNxo6ArP6M/s1600/MumGarter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P5MMnEfDuo4/Vgitbw8WssI/AAAAAAAAA5M/5PNxo6ArP6M/s320/MumGarter.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homecoming Mum Garter by Alton DuLaney September 2105</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;And just so you don't think that this crafty tradition is for the girls only, their dates are also roped into the pageantry with a smaller version worn as a garter.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>&nbsp;But remember, although this does get very competitive, it is supposed to be fun. So have fun, be crafty, and good luck!<br /><br />For more creative ideas and crafty how-tos check out my affiliated&nbsp; Paper Arts class on craftsy.com<br /><br /><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/Paper-Arts/25?_ct=iuqhsx-kdyluhiqb-huikbj-sekhiu&amp;_ctp=25">http://www.craftsy.com/class/Paper-Arts/25?_ct=iuqhsx-kdyluhiqb-huikbj-sekhiu&amp;_ctp=25</a><br /><br />Happy Crafting and Art Making!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-63130549281903821302015-09-02T11:40:00.000-07:002015-09-02T11:40:16.618-07:00Texas Design Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SpjGO1fmpq0/VedAbbFuCwI/AAAAAAAAAzY/e5Nexcbjvz8/s1600/CAM%2Bopen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SpjGO1fmpq0/VedAbbFuCwI/AAAAAAAAAzY/e5Nexcbjvz8/s320/CAM%2Bopen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Texas Deign Now Opening at CAM photo by Alton DuLaney August 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><br />On a recent balmy Friday night, that familiar art itch surfaced that needed to be scratched. So with my artsy friend Ruby Surls in tow, we packed up the convertible and headed to the arts district of Houston, Texas to get our fix. Of our many conversations during the significant drive into town, we bemoaned the fact that Houston lacked a certain amount of style readily found in other large cities, particularly within the art community. Where was the fashion, the quirkiness, the eccentricity for which artists and art patrons are known? After a few lackluster openings, we found our answer in the Texas Design Now exhibit at the Contemporary Art Museum.<br /><br />Not only was the design on display worth seeing, but the crowd was a see-and-be-seen must. Men in skirts, couples in matching outfits, over-sized lucite jewelry, hand-painted garments, statement-piece accessories, and tattoos and piercings adorned the crowd.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vL_FBsiXTuI/VedAoNDMjuI/AAAAAAAAAz0/P_5JP2qtM_I/s1600/CAM%2Bshirt%2Bwall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vL_FBsiXTuI/VedAoNDMjuI/AAAAAAAAAz0/P_5JP2qtM_I/s320/CAM%2Bshirt%2Bwall.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denis Nance shirt wall at CAM photo by Alton DuLaney August 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Many of the designers and their collections were noteworthy: Garza Marfa's thick leather home furnishings combined rustic materials with a modern design, Finel's geometric handbags appeared as if they were carved from stone, Rhinestone Rob's encrusted accessories became objets de arte, a ball gown with enormous train looked ready for any pageant or&nbsp; parade, Denis Nance's wall of shirts could have graced any 5th avenue window display, and Michael Wilson's beautifully carved wooden furniture left the viewer wondering if one should sit on them or simply admire them.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_FN7Iuiz6I/VedBkqO_J-I/AAAAAAAAAz4/BuQ7grrosXA/s1600/CAM%2Bfurniture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D_FN7Iuiz6I/VedBkqO_J-I/AAAAAAAAAz4/BuQ7grrosXA/s320/CAM%2Bfurniture.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Wilson carved table at CAM photo by Alton DuLaney August 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><br />But perhaps my favorite collection, so tiny it might be missed, was Johnny Dang's&nbsp; Diamond <span data-scayt_word="Grillz" data-scaytid="124">Grillz. These teeth caps fabricated from gold, diamonds and gemstones, added new meaning to the term ghetto-fabulous. With a long list of celebrity clients, these Grillz were truly captivating works of pop art, and seemed just at home in a museum as they would in a rap video.&nbsp;</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdTxMNRrToc/VedAWdyJNnI/AAAAAAAAAzM/6kyta7JqJxQ/s1600/CAM%2Bgrill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdTxMNRrToc/VedAWdyJNnI/AAAAAAAAAzM/6kyta7JqJxQ/s320/CAM%2Bgrill.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johnny Dang's Diamond <span data-scayt_word="Grillz" data-scaytid="124">Grillz at CAM photo by Alton DuLaney August 2015</span> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span data-scayt_word="Grillz" data-scaytid="124">An evening and a museum full of style and fashion, the exhibit Texas Design Now at the Contemporary Arts Museum in Houston is a terrific overview of Texas designers from all across the great state of Texas.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span data-scayt_word="Grillz" data-scaytid="124"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span data-scayt_word="Grillz" data-scaytid="124">For more info check out the Contemporary Art Museum in Houston.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://camh.org/exhibitions/texas-design-now#.VedAcnudX-Y">http://camh.org/exhibitions/texas-design-now#.VedAcnudX-Y</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span data-scayt_word="Grillz" data-scaytid="124"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-67416077849081533572015-08-03T15:53:00.000-07:002015-08-03T19:35:51.539-07:00Parisian Poste - A Fun Summer Mail Art Project<span id="goog_1011697166"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1011697167"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20style=%22width:120px;height:240px;%22%20marginwidth=%220%22%20marginheight=%220%22%20scrolling=%22no%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20src=%22//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&amp;OneJS=1&amp;Operation=GetAdHtml&amp;MarketPlace=US&amp;source=ac&amp;ref=qf_sp_asin_til&amp;ad_type=product_link&amp;tracking_id=altondulaneyc-20&amp;marketplace=amazon&amp;region=US&amp;placement=B0085F1DMQ&amp;asins=B0085F1DMQ&amp;linkId=EUDYBBBTQ6PBXAYM&amp;show_border=true&amp;link_opens_in_new_window=true%22%3E%20%3C/iframe%3E"></a><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpC1TAvrC0g/Vb_S6JoKSYI/AAAAAAAAAtw/X9Eis978OkQ/s1600/mailart%2BJuly2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fpC1TAvrC0g/Vb_S6JoKSYI/AAAAAAAAAtw/X9Eis978OkQ/s320/mailart%2BJuly2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mail Art by Alton DuLaney July 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>I am supposed to be in Paris today, though instead I am here at the world-headquarters in Splendora, at my desk, writing letters (and this blog). You see, I ran into a little complication, a cute, little, fluffy complication named Aureleo or "Leo", my dog and travel partner. Apparently there are a few challenges that I hadn't thoroughly considered when traveling internationally with a dog. Next time I'll know better. But I was so excited to create some mail art from Paris, that I went ahead and indulged my Francophilia. I put on some french music, donned a beret, poured myself some champagne, gathered a few supplies, and allowed my imagination to take me to a sidewalk cafe in the Marais, where I wrote a stack of letters.&nbsp; You could do the same thing with any exotic destination. Here's how I did it...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ADQzWqmHIg/VcAirOKo_XI/AAAAAAAAAwk/9uDENypahGg/s1600/note%2Bcards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ADQzWqmHIg/VcAirOKo_XI/AAAAAAAAAwk/9uDENypahGg/s320/note%2Bcards.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French Stationery photo by Alton DuLaney July 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It is easy to buy, embellish or make your own beautiful stationery from anywhere in the world. I found these lovely french note-card sets a few years back at a stationery store in NYC and have been saving them for the perfect occasion. I always keep my eye open for cool stationery, buy it when I see it, and then save it until I need it. If you are not in a major city, you can also look online for&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/1KMRlKJ">Cool French Note Card Sets.</a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0085F1DMQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B0085F1DMQ&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=altondulaneyc-20&amp;linkId=J7OEL2IV7VJ4N3JL%22%3ECool%20note-card%20sets.%20%3C/a%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=altondulaneyc-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B0085F1DMQ%22%20width=%221%22%20height=%221%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22%22%20style=%22border:none%20!important;%20margin:0px%20!important;%22%20/%3E"> </a><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qP-VJvGzaNw/VcAjUg2aNXI/AAAAAAAAAws/vK-XLUCBWok/s1600/rubber%2Bstamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qP-VJvGzaNw/VcAjUg2aNXI/AAAAAAAAAws/vK-XLUCBWok/s320/rubber%2Bstamp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Customized Stationery by Alton DuLaney July 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />&nbsp;I always like to customize my stationery to make it look special and unique. A fun and easy way to do this is with rubber stamps. Cavallini makes several fun <a href="http://amzn.to/1M1N19n">Rubber Stamp Kits</a>,&nbsp; similar to the one I use. Since my theme is Paris, I used appropriate imagery like the "Par Avion" stamp.<br /><br />A few TIPS when using rubber stamps: 1. Make sure rubber stamp is clean and dry. 2. Get a nice even coat of ink on the stamp. 3. Place stationery on solid, flat, clean surface. 4. Press steady and firm, without rocking the stamp for a clean print. 5. Clean stamp thoroughly and allow to dry completely before putting away. 6. Practice makes perfect!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z_1NVcxAc5o/VcAjfTw2PrI/AAAAAAAAAw0/LMLjc_ENP7A/s1600/emboss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z_1NVcxAc5o/VcAjfTw2PrI/AAAAAAAAAw0/LMLjc_ENP7A/s320/emboss.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Custom Embossed Envelope by Alton DuLaney July 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Another fun technique to customize your stationery is by using a personal embosser. You can order a&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/1SEYpxt">Personalized Desk Embosser</a> with your choice of monogram, name, or even return address. I like to just use my monogram, a large A!<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UQjNYiigKaA/Vb_eFhPkG3I/AAAAAAAAAvg/SZuXuAGMfyQ/s1600/postage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UQjNYiigKaA/Vb_eFhPkG3I/AAAAAAAAAvg/SZuXuAGMfyQ/s320/postage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Postage Collection by Alton DuLaney July 2015</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Choosing the right&nbsp; stamp can really set the tone of a letter, especially when you are elevating an lowly envelope into mail-art status. I keep a large amount of stamps on hand so I always have options. The United States Postal Service sells all kinds of designs in various denominations.&nbsp; <a href="https://store.usps.com/store/browse/category.jsp?categoryId=buy-stamps">Buy Stamps Online</a><br /><br />FUN FACT: The value of a stamp never expires! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LKehu3FCC_Y/VcAkDyH6RJI/AAAAAAAAAxI/g07MbC_fuj4/s1600/envelope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LKehu3FCC_Y/VcAkDyH6RJI/AAAAAAAAAxI/g07MbC_fuj4/s320/envelope.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mail-Art by ALton DuLaney July 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>For this particular project I chose these song-bird stamps becuase I liked the simplicity and the color. Ideally I would have mailed these from Paris, France with french stamps, or at least Paris, Texas for the cool postmark ( see note at the end of this blog), so to add a bit of french style to this,&nbsp; I used my favorite&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/1SEYIIx">Felt-Tip Pen</a> , which come in a rainbow of colors, to write 'excusez-moi" across the top, as an apologetic nod to the mail-carrier for delivering this letter although I put the stamp on the top left side of the envelope. I did this for creative reasons; I liked how it looked this way, and it did not compromise the hand graphic on my envelope.<br /><br />TIP: You can use multiple stamps to arrived at the required denomination and give your letter a more vintage feel.<br /><br />&nbsp;Now our envelope is ready to stuff!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L3mzG8oHc2A/VcAkflSwz-I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/1fiVrqZfZqk/s1600/vintage%2Bpostcards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L3mzG8oHc2A/VcAkflSwz-I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/1fiVrqZfZqk/s320/vintage%2Bpostcards.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage French Post Cards photographed by Alton DuLaney</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>A few years ago at a flea market, I bought a big box of vintage post cards. Now whenever I travel, I try to re-appropriate these cards, up-cycling them into my mail-art projects. I took this book of miniature Paris post cards, and using my&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/1M1NhoR">Scotch Titanium Scissors</a> to get a crisp edge, I cut them into individual cards, then wrote a cute note onto each card, like "Meet me here!" It's just one more way to make the letter opening experience more eventful.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Yn0-6vx5l0/VcAkphQwK9I/AAAAAAAAAxY/Mqix71so04g/s1600/parfum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Yn0-6vx5l0/VcAkphQwK9I/AAAAAAAAAxY/Mqix71so04g/s320/parfum.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parfumed swatches by Alton DuLaney July 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Another experiential element to add to your mail-art is the sense of smell. For my Parisian Poste, I took quilting swatches and doused them with my favorite french perfume. I love the smell of &nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/1IUSBuZ">YSL L' Homme</a>&nbsp; ,&nbsp; (should you want to send me some as a gift!) but you might prefer another scent.<br /><br />TIP: You can swing by a Sephora and get a tester if you don't want to buy a whole bottle. Also spritz your fabric first and let it dry; the moisture and oils from the perfume can affect the ink or otherwise stain the note-card or envelope.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUVkIo2Lh2g/VcAk0qn_QLI/AAAAAAAAAxg/ZyjfpWDrRFk/s1600/contents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUVkIo2Lh2g/VcAk0qn_QLI/AAAAAAAAAxg/ZyjfpWDrRFk/s320/contents.jpg" width="274" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parisian Poste by AltonDuLaney July 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>When your recipient gets this little souvenir, they will open it to discover the sights and smells of Paris!<br /><br />Now that I have shown you the fun part of dressing up your correspondence, you will have to chose who to send it to and what to write . Of course you will start your letter with a "Bon Jour" and end with an "Au Revoir" but the rest of the content is up to you! <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEwQsbSYE4E/Vb_npA30FWI/AAAAAAAAAwM/_P6ogZwj-Ik/s1600/phrasebooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEwQsbSYE4E/Vb_npA30FWI/AAAAAAAAAwM/_P6ogZwj-Ik/s320/phrasebooks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French Phrase Book photo by ALton DuLaney </td></tr></tbody></table>TIPS: Buy yourself a handy&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/1M1NBDZ">Phrase Book</a>&nbsp; for the country or language that fits your theme, and incorporate words and phrases into the body of your text. This will add some "je na sais quoi" to your letter. A&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://amzn.to/1OMe5Zs">Pocket Guide</a> will also provide images and maps should you wish to collage any of those items into your mail-art. <br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGisFYBXPHc/Vb_nqL009BI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/dRrhBFk4ndI/s1600/mailart%2BJuly2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EGisFYBXPHc/Vb_nqL009BI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/dRrhBFk4ndI/s320/mailart%2BJuly2015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parisian Poste Mail Art by Alton DuLaney July 2015</td></tr></tbody></table><br />&nbsp;By taking a few extra steps, and going the extra mile, you can create amazing souvenirs of your travels ( even if you stay at home!) and produce lasting mail art correspondence that your friends and family will enjoy receiving and perhaps even cherish for years to come. So make some art today,&nbsp; and partake in the "joie de vivre" of letter writing!<br /><br />(One last TIP: If you want to chronicle your correspondence, or otherwise archive your mail-art, always send a copy of your monthly missives to yourself. Also, whenever I am in a place with a great name, like Splendora, I take my mail to the post-office and have the postmaster hand-cancel the stamps with the official town seal.)&nbsp; <br /><br />For more great do-it-yourself art and crafts projects, check out my class&nbsp;<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/instructors/alton-dulaney;jsessionid=51395B31C00CE12F0BD8A3B06CB109F5.cure001?NAVIGATION_PAGE_CONTEXT_ATTR=NONE">Paper Arts on Craftsy.com</a> . <br /><span id="goog_1011697164"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1011697165"></span><br />Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-2291779952702779542014-04-11T19:50:00.002-07:002014-04-12T18:01:18.146-07:00"the ART of the pARTy"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hp88NdlpU-g/U0h7IMSHz9I/AAAAAAAAAns/GHG38R6MdGQ/s1600/party1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hp88NdlpU-g/U0h7IMSHz9I/AAAAAAAAAns/GHG38R6MdGQ/s1600/party1.jpg" height="131" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the ART of the pARTy by Alton DuLaney, April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the boys on the streets of West Hollywood are wearing tank tops - this could mean only one thing: Spring is here!&nbsp; And what better time to host a little spring time soiree than right now! Just in time for the freshest and most festive season of all, here are some fun crafting projects you can do to customize any event and celebrate the ART of the pARTy!<br /><br />First things first. In order to have a party you need to get others to come to your party. The best way to do that is with a festive invite.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jiRJzlMAqyQ/U0h9carrqVI/AAAAAAAAAn4/3uX1-GfYeUk/s1600/party2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jiRJzlMAqyQ/U0h9carrqVI/AAAAAAAAAn4/3uX1-GfYeUk/s1600/party2.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Invitations by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>I like to coordinate my invitations with the color palette and theme of my party. By starting with some standard note cards with matching envelopes, I use decorative tape, punched out shapes, clever postage, and creative&nbsp; embellishments to add some individuality to my invites.<br /><br />A few notes while on the subject. Send you invites out at least two weeks before the event so your guests will have time to schedule your party, and ask for an email RSVP to both make sure they got the invite, and that they are coming! Also, postage stamps are available in a world of options so chose one that matches your invite. Finally, April is National Letter Writing Month - so whether or not you are having a party, try sending someone a handwritten letter in a customized envelope or hand-crafted post card and see how much they appreciate it!<br /><br />Letter writing is a big hobby of mine, so much so that I fondly refer to it as Mail Art. Here are just a few of my creations.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ewBbA86exss/U0iMt2OzBCI/AAAAAAAAAoI/YC56g-gxgpI/s1600/party3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ewBbA86exss/U0iMt2OzBCI/AAAAAAAAAoI/YC56g-gxgpI/s1600/party3.jpg" height="229" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mail Art by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>Now that the invitations are in the mail, it's time to decorate your home for the event. A simple and fun way to do this is with bunting- creating your own flags, and banners using just a few simple ingredients.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ob1AeS30eBU/U0iNfcDDZyI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/qOvyjThE7dc/s1600/party4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ob1AeS30eBU/U0iNfcDDZyI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/qOvyjThE7dc/s1600/party4.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bunting by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>For large scale bunting I use card stock in various colors, which I decorate with Scotch Expressions Tape, then using a hole punch I punch a hole in each corner, and string together with a ribbon. For smaller scale bunting, decorative tape can be attached to bakers-twine to create cute little strings of bunting that can dress up a table, a chair, a mantle, or even your front door.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eU-1rgNHgmU/U0iO-v82RBI/AAAAAAAAAoc/vAxUEYCHMiQ/s1600/party5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eU-1rgNHgmU/U0iO-v82RBI/AAAAAAAAAoc/vAxUEYCHMiQ/s1600/party5.jpg" height="226" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flags by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>The same concept can be applied to create colorful "flags". Here I use decorative tape on bamboo skewers for flags that can be added to floral arrangements, stuck in planters outside your front door, to decorate the grounds at a park for a picnic, or as a cake topper. By using toothpicks, smaller flags can be created which are supper cute cup-cake toppers. Here I have punched out various shapes for added dimension.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_ktrWr1WRU/U0iQnTLMNUI/AAAAAAAAAoo/9vAlitgXmQY/s1600/party6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F_ktrWr1WRU/U0iQnTLMNUI/AAAAAAAAAoo/9vAlitgXmQY/s1600/party6.jpg" height="279" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cup Cake Toppers by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>The combination of the decorative tapes and the fun shapes dresses up any plate of cup cakes!<br /><br />And speaking of dressing things up, here are a few more ideas for dressing up you home for a festive gathering.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y8hcOEe09xU/U0iSKE8w1OI/AAAAAAAAAo4/e3fp4TyyM8E/s1600/party7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y8hcOEe09xU/U0iSKE8w1OI/AAAAAAAAAo4/e3fp4TyyM8E/s1600/party7.jpg" height="243" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper Pom Poms by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;Paper Pom Poms, made from layered tissue paper add a pop of color to any event. They can be placed strategically around the party or hung from the ceiling.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LB8WOmvF_s8/U0iSJyXNXsI/AAAAAAAAAo8/vZjJNa07a4s/s1600/party8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LB8WOmvF_s8/U0iSJyXNXsI/AAAAAAAAAo8/vZjJNa07a4s/s1600/party8.jpg" height="320" width="230" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vase by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>If fresh flowers are more your style, you can easily dress up a simple glass vase by decorating it with colorful masking tape. Even deli-flowers look better when presented in a beautiful vase.<br /><br />Flowers are just one part of a beautiful table scape, which you can customize to reinforce the theme of your party.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3IjYML2sDE/U0iYufqvZ0I/AAAAAAAAApc/Wy7xnB9IejM/s1600/party9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3IjYML2sDE/U0iYufqvZ0I/AAAAAAAAApc/Wy7xnB9IejM/s1600/party9.jpg" height="320" width="290" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Table Scape by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table><br />For this Table Scape I use a 3x5 unlined index card and decorative tape to create name cards for my guests. I've also decorated paper plates, utensils, napkins, cup and straw - all from the party supply store but now customized to coordinate with my party theme. Here I have used a take-out container as a party favor for my guests, filled with mints.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SCRTFYbX2PM/U0iYtL01ysI/AAAAAAAAApQ/GypdSgZN-2w/s1600/party10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SCRTFYbX2PM/U0iYtL01ysI/AAAAAAAAApQ/GypdSgZN-2w/s1600/party10.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Party Favors by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>Party favors are a cute little gift, placed at the table setting, which can be used as name card or just a little something extra for your guests, Some examples would be small take-out containers, a tin with a clear top, paper favor boxes, and tiny gift wraps.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zdcgxnlJOQQ/U0iYt5OBLEI/AAAAAAAAApk/XAA0mJ_XZGo/s1600/party11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zdcgxnlJOQQ/U0iYt5OBLEI/AAAAAAAAApk/XAA0mJ_XZGo/s1600/party11.jpg" height="320" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Custom Gift Wrap by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>Whether you are the host or the guest, gifting is a huge part of entertaining. Always bring a hostess gift to a party to show your appreciation, and whenever you are gifting, put the present in presentation with a beautifully wrapped gift! Here I chose papers that coordinated with my party palette and embellished the gifts with fun ribbons and bows which I customized with decorative tape.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-icEo5llSmos/U0iYuBzwGNI/AAAAAAAAApg/W1-sy3ZS9KI/s1600/party12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-icEo5llSmos/U0iYuBzwGNI/AAAAAAAAApg/W1-sy3ZS9KI/s1600/party12.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feather Gift Wrap by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>Another great embellishment to add to gift wraps is feathers! They add an unexpected twist and a colorful zing to any wrap.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yvyNlRukf-4/U0ijhmDyhhI/AAAAAAAAArM/_9l2EX86FK4/s1600/party13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yvyNlRukf-4/U0ijhmDyhhI/AAAAAAAAArM/_9l2EX86FK4/s1600/party13.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gift Tags by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>Gift tags are yet another way to dress up a gift and identify the recipient.You can make your own from card stock and a punch, or buy basic ones and decorate them. Here I've added rhinestones, decorative tape, ribbon, and stickers to create customized gift tags.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DXwRJT36y2k/U0ijhPu85iI/AAAAAAAAArA/nRdkas-_mVs/s1600/party14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DXwRJT36y2k/U0ijhPu85iI/AAAAAAAAArA/nRdkas-_mVs/s1600/party14.jpg" height="159" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gift Bags by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>A great gift wrap solution for any unusually shaped item, or a fun goodie bag to send your guests home with, is the gift-wrapped-gift-bag. Perfect for a bottle of wine, or a variety of small gifts in one bag. I add bows, stickers, ornaments, decorative tape, rhinestones, feathers, name tags, flags, buttons, and even attach a take-out container with an additional gift when making these unique bags.<br /><br />The same concepts can be applied to create different party themes. Here are a few of my favorite:<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hLCTS09y1ms/U0ijhr045JI/AAAAAAAAArQ/G7wX-RIUtaA/s1600/party15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hLCTS09y1ms/U0ijhr045JI/AAAAAAAAArQ/G7wX-RIUtaA/s1600/party15.jpg" height="279" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Romance Party by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>A romantic theme party is great for an intimate party of two, a Valentine's date, or to celebrate love any day of the year!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3oHosf2YCVk/U0ijiApZnJI/AAAAAAAAArU/7TDSDFIBQ3c/s1600/party16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3oHosf2YCVk/U0ijiApZnJI/AAAAAAAAArU/7TDSDFIBQ3c/s1600/party16.jpg" height="172" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding and Anniversary Party by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>Mixing it up some with silver and gold creates the perfect theme for a wedding or anniversary party!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQe9LtAxQW4/U0ijivqX43I/AAAAAAAAArc/jSch5g2FTrE/s1600/party17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bQe9LtAxQW4/U0ijivqX43I/AAAAAAAAArc/jSch5g2FTrE/s1600/party17.jpg" height="302" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patriotic Party by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>Red, white and blue makes for a perfect patriotic party. Great for 4th of July, sporting events, tail-gate party, or a picnic!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qNYJi_FWdQ4/U0il_W9juoI/AAAAAAAAAr8/vlNV2x4N4tk/s1600/party18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qNYJi_FWdQ4/U0il_W9juoI/AAAAAAAAAr8/vlNV2x4N4tk/s1600/party18.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hipster Party by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table>The natural craft paper and ironic design motifs makes for a great hipster party. Also great for dad, the graduate, the eco-friendly, the philatelic, the traveler, or the professor!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUdr6A3k7n4/U0ijjo7OUtI/AAAAAAAAAro/hNjfoa9MtuM/s1600/party19.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUdr6A3k7n4/U0ijjo7OUtI/AAAAAAAAAro/hNjfoa9MtuM/s1600/party19.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper Arts Party by Alton DuLaney April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Whatever the occasion may be, when all of the elements and all of the ingredients come together, you have the perfect party!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VrqDRMY9oxc/U0ijlKhFbMI/AAAAAAAAAr0/h9H1lzLqkoM/s1600/party21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VrqDRMY9oxc/U0ijlKhFbMI/AAAAAAAAAr0/h9H1lzLqkoM/s1600/party21.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alton DuLaney teaching 'the ART of the pARTy' at the "Craftication"event April 2014</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The ART of the pARTy blog is based on a workshop I recently taught at the blogger's event "Craftication" in Ventura, California, April 4-5, 2014.<br /><br />For more on entertaining and crafting with Paper Arts check out my class on Craftsy.com.<br /><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/Paper-Arts/25?_ct=sbqii-sqjuweho-dum&amp;_ctp=1&amp;_egg=sekhiu_wqbbuho_20131031&amp;_ege=25">http://www.craftsy.com/class/Paper-Arts/25?_ct=sbqii-sqjuweho-dum&amp;_ctp=1&amp;_egg=sekhiu_wqbbuho_20131031&amp;_ege=25</a><br /><br />I love to work with Scotch Expressions Tape, available in hundreds of colors and patterns and finishes, from Washi to Masking to Magic. Available at major retailers.<br /><a href="http://www.scotchbrand.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/ScotchBrand/Scotch/Solutions/Expressions/?WT.mc_id=www.scotchbrand.com/EXP">http://www.scotchbrand.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/ScotchBrand/Scotch/Solutions/Expressions/?WT.mc_id=www.scotchbrand.com/EXP</a><br /><br />I also love to use feathers which I source from the Feather Place, which stocks the largest variety of feathers in the USA, including many pre-made crafting items.<br /><a href="https://www.featherplace.com/">https://www.featherplace.com/</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-27826726262916547842013-10-03T12:40:00.002-07:002013-10-03T12:40:54.174-07:00West Hollywood Art Walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">West Hollywood is both a creative city and a walking city! It is one of the few 'neighborhoods' in Los Angeles where you can actually walk to the grocery store, the bank, the post office, the dry cleaners, the gym, the bar, the library, and the museum, all within a few block radius. It is also the 'gayborhood', full of diversity and creativity! So what better way to enjoy a beautiful walk through the city than by taking in some of the numerous public art exhibits!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1oCOEvue2XA/Uk2uUUQLTWI/AAAAAAAAAls/5bWsTydci_E/s1600/WHAW1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1oCOEvue2XA/Uk2uUUQLTWI/AAAAAAAAAls/5bWsTydci_E/s320/WHAW1b.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Surls, "Eye Flower", West Hollywood by Alton DuLaney</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So let's start our walking tour of West Hollywood where I started my own wild fascination with Art with a capital A, in the piney woods of Splendora! Growing up in the tiny-Texas-town of Splendora, art seemed a world away, at least until I met and then interned with James Surls. This world-renowned sculptor called Splendora home from 1977-1997, and even published a book, <u>The Splendora Years</u>, to commemorate his time there.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now that I live in West Hollywood, whenever I am missing my home town, I stroll up the hill to Sunset Plaza, and there nestled between shops and cafes, is a larger than life James Surls sculpture from 2002, entitled "Eye Flower". Incorporating two of Surls' reoccurring motifs, the eye and the flower, it is a magnificent and yet unexpected artistic statement, towering there in the plaza, casting fanciful shadows upon unsuspecting pedestrians as they&nbsp; move about or pause to enjoy a magazine or cup of coffee.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From here head east on Sunset Boulevard, and make a right down the steep hill that is La Cienega. Just before reaching Santa Monica Boulevard, make a left onto Holloway and look for the Barney's Beanery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AB7FkwVqiJk/Uk2uV9u6_QI/AAAAAAAAAl0/dtBYPlYpOvc/s1600/WHAW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AB7FkwVqiJk/Uk2uV9u6_QI/AAAAAAAAAl0/dtBYPlYpOvc/s320/WHAW2.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Artschwager, "BLPs", West Hollywood, by Alton DuLaney</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is unquestionably the most subtle artistic statement in West Hollywood, but like most art, it must be taken in context. If you look very closely at the Barney's Beanery sign, you will see in the upper rightt-hand corner, one of Artschwager's famous black lozenge-shaped marks, known as a BLP.&nbsp; Artschwager developed this artistic statement in the 1960's to inspire focus, and to draw the viewers eye to things we might otherwise overlook.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Artschwager famously used his guerrilla techinique at his Whitney Museum exhibit in 1968, placing 100 of his BLP's throughout the museum, drawing attention to the brutalist architecture of Marcel Breuer who designed the museum.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Hammer Museum recently presented a retrospective of the artist, who died in February 2013, and as part of the exhibit, BLB's where installed across Los Angeles including at least 4 that I spotted in West Hollywood. (In conjunction with the Whitney Museum of American Art, BLP's were also installed in Los Vegas and in NYC!)&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Artschwager once explained that his BLP's were inspired by the exclamation point, which is my favorite punctuation!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qGklMiI2JTo/Uk2uX8KDBaI/AAAAAAAAAmA/xo__bIDAmeA/s1600/WHAW3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qGklMiI2JTo/Uk2uX8KDBaI/AAAAAAAAAmA/xo__bIDAmeA/s320/WHAW3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William Sweetlove, "Cloned Dogs with Water Bottles", West Hollywood, by Alton DuLaney</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>&nbsp;Speaking of something to get excited about, just across the street is evidence of the great art heist of West Hollywood 2013!! The Belgian artist, William Sweetlove, installed his colorful sentry of "Cloned Bulldogs with Water Bottles", (a statement on climate change), earlier this summer along the grassy knoll of Santa Monica Boulevard just in time for the annual Gay Pride Parade in June. Each of his bulldogs with base loom over 9 feet tall, and weigh several hundred pounds. When the dust and glitter from the Gay Pride Parade settled, imagine the surprise of city officials when they discovered that one of the statues had been 'dog-napped'! Despite a thorough investigation including posting lost-dog signs around West Hollywood, and a reward offered from the artist himself, the missing pink bulldog was never located. The empty pink base stands as a forlorn reminder of this summer caper!<br /><br />From here, let's walk west along Santa Monica Boulevard, admiring the cafes that dot the sidewalk and the breeze that rustles through the palm trees. In a few blocks you will come to Hancock Avenue. A few parking spots up on the right side of the street, lost amongst the perplexing array of signage that has resulted in more than a few of my guests being ticketed or towed, is perhaps the most poetic of public art to be found in West Hollywood.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OSnHWdmPXt4/Uk2uXXkdH4I/AAAAAAAAAmI/sTkTewGtliw/s1600/WHAW4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OSnHWdmPXt4/Uk2uXXkdH4I/AAAAAAAAAmI/sTkTewGtliw/s320/WHAW4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rebecca Lowry, "Regard" West Hollywood, by Alton DuLaney</td></tr></tbody></table>Rebecca Lowry is an artist with a background in architecture, and a kindred spirit who enjoys a fanciful play on words. Her street art Haikus are scattered around West Hollywood and displayed in multiple languages to exemplify the cultural diversity of our fair little city, where election ballots are printed in both English and Russian! This one on Hancock is my favorite, as it is testament to the beauty of words, and&nbsp; mere footsteps from where I live.<br /><br />Now before we get too lost in deep contemplative thought, let's venture farther west on SMB taking in the other famous art forms of West Hollywod, the beautiful men who call this their home and playground. The bars and boutiques of the next few blocks are collectively referred to as 'Boystown' and it doesn't take an aesthete or art historian to figure out why.<br /><br />Now if you make a left at the Rainbow Crosswalk on St. Vicente, you will see looming in the distance the iconic Pacific Design Center - three epic glass structures in red, green and blue. The PDC is home to countless design firms, galleries and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), should you require a respite from the sun. But for now, I suggest that instead you veer into the West Hollywood Park on the opposite side of the street and head back behind the tennis courts to a lost little corner where you might notice a few figures against a green wall.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EZrVK2p0ZqA/Uk2uYxPo6JI/AAAAAAAAAmM/NEmPdSLo1BU/s1600/WHAW5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EZrVK2p0ZqA/Uk2uYxPo6JI/AAAAAAAAAmM/NEmPdSLo1BU/s320/WHAW5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ramiro Gomez, "The Caretakers: :Los Cuidadores", West Hollywood, by Alton DuLaney</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;These characters are actually a figurative mural by West Hollywood based Latino artist Ramiro Gomez. His work aims to draw attention to the invisible people in our community who help keep our thins beautiful and clean - the gardeners, nannies, valets, and house keepers, who are typically Latino, and typically under-represented. Gomez, who claims to have worked as a nanny himself, fashions his paintings after amalgamations of other staff he has met. These three ladies are Daisy, Elsa, and Lacy.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wa00Hqd7MSs/Uk2ubdhNbuI/AAAAAAAAAmc/bcowaU-GklM/s1600/WHAW6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wa00Hqd7MSs/Uk2ubdhNbuI/AAAAAAAAAmc/bcowaU-GklM/s320/WHAW6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosimo Cavallaro, "love Your Beans", West Hollywood, by Alton DuLaney</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another Latino artist, who's work is much more visible, is Cosimo Cavallaro. His gigantic, brighly colored jelly beans are hard to miss, as they lounge beneath one of the park's many expansive tree. Cavallaro, who normally works in the perishable medium of food-stuffs, collaborate with master fabricator Jack Brogan to create these brilliant giants with a much longer shelf-life. Over the last few weeks, I have watched kids, young and old, frolicking around and stroking the smooth surface, as they marvel at this fun installation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6Cirt8xhow/Uk2ubAxJ9PI/AAAAAAAAAmg/aEmcrmZdyYM/s1600/WHAW7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a6Cirt8xhow/Uk2ubAxJ9PI/AAAAAAAAAmg/aEmcrmZdyYM/s320/WHAW7.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz Craft, "The Temple of Folly", West Hollywood, by Alton DuLaney</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>&nbsp;A few steps farther down on St Vicente, and the astute viewer encounters the temple where all artist worship. No not a church, but "The Temple of Folly"! This tee-pee-like structure, by artist Liz Craft, with the all-seeing-eye, is either an homage to the Illuminati (How do I join?!) or an ode to every kid who ever built a back yard fort. Craft claims to draw upon a variety of "fantastical and hallucinatory sources". Clearly!<br /><br />At the edge of the park is the temple to the book, the West Hollywood Library, an artistic and architectural statement in and of itself. A few years back, as part of the "Art In The Street" exhibit at the MOCA museums, curator Jeffery Deitch worked with Vanity Fair, Cadillac, and the West Hollywood Library to bring us the West Hollywood Murals - three large scale murals on the parking structure of the library.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rkp47Ju6Tyo/Uk2ubkitcjI/AAAAAAAAAmk/g75AbefC5UY/s1600/WHAW8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rkp47Ju6Tyo/Uk2ubkitcjI/AAAAAAAAAmk/g75AbefC5UY/s320/WHAW8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenny Scharf, West Hollywood Library Mural, West Hollywood, by Alton DuLaney</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The first mural as seen from the park, is by artist Kenny Scharf. Scharf got his start in NYC's East Village art scene and was inspired by early subway graffiti. His signature style has been featured in nightclub decor, clothing, toys, a B-52's album cover, and at least on one convertible I saw zipping along Sunset Boulevard! It is fun and whimsical and adds a great pop of color to what might otherwise be a drab parking structure.<br /><br />Venturing clockwise around the library, down what appears to be an ally, one is presented with the calligraphic and hieroglyphic style of the artist know as Retna!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7scBRxywVgQ/Uk2udbW8p7I/AAAAAAAAAms/DgORYp_J0k4/s1600/WHAW9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7scBRxywVgQ/Uk2udbW8p7I/AAAAAAAAAms/DgORYp_J0k4/s320/WHAW9.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Retna, West Hollywood Library Murals, West Hollywood, by Alton DuLaney</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Retna, aka Marquis Lewis, got his start in LA graffiti writing, and made a name for himself by combining Mayan, Egyptian, Hebrew, Chinese, and Japanese traditions with Cholo writing techniques. His work can be seen all over Los Angeles, from galleries to billboards.<br /><br />Continuing clockwise around the library will bring you to the biggest piece of art in West Hollywood.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n6FXMsqihUg/Uk2uUF-AmXI/AAAAAAAAAlk/Zx2MuE_ZS8o/s1600/WHAW10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n6FXMsqihUg/Uk2uUF-AmXI/AAAAAAAAAlk/Zx2MuE_ZS8o/s320/WHAW10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shepard Fairy, West Hollywood Library Murals, West Hollywood, by Alton DuLaney</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The entire back of the parking structure is painted by perhaps one of the most famous street artist, Shepard Fairy. Fairy gained notoriety as a 19 year-old skater who combined a grainy image of Andre the Giant with the words OBEY. His sticker art could soon be found across the globe. Numerous product endorsements followed, and in 2008 he helped elect the first African-American president of the United States with his Obama "Hope" campaign.&nbsp; The large scale and graphic force presented in this mural at the West Hollywood Library is typical of his style and makes quite an impressive statement! And for one last dose of Fairy, step inside the library's coffee show, where the walls are covered in his signature style, and reward yourself with a&nbsp; refreshing beverage for having combined exercise with culture, on your West Hollywood Art Walk!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is much more to see art-wise in West Hollywood, and the installations and exhibits are always changing. So the next time you have a little extra time on you hands (or feet!) take a walk around the neighborhood and keep your eyes open!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For more information check out the city of West Hollywood Arts and Culture site @ </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.weho.org/index.aspx?page=536">http://www.weho.org/index.aspx?page=536</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-34620211228163879962013-04-25T16:56:00.001-07:002013-04-25T16:56:37.962-07:00"Max Factor Museum"<div style="text-align: center;">Max Factor Museum</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hollywood, California</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sRsDHy3PyxI/UXm1XmE_tyI/AAAAAAAAAj0/1iJNHU2OtD0/s1600/HollywoodMuseum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sRsDHy3PyxI/UXm1XmE_tyI/AAAAAAAAAj0/1iJNHU2OtD0/s320/HollywoodMuseum.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hollywood Museum, Hollywood.</td></tr></tbody></table>The Hollywood Museum, located in the historic Max Factor Building just off Hollywood Boulevard, is home to a sizable amount of Hollywood memorabilia, as well as a tribute to the "Make-Up King" himself, Mr. Max Factor. The building is an art deco gem with an impressive facade and a marble entrance still bearing the name Max Factor.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HsXvUyAATrM/UXm1jC-l97I/AAAAAAAAAkM/S0s0Am-AoLw/s1600/MaxFactorBkdg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="97" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HsXvUyAATrM/UXm1jC-l97I/AAAAAAAAAkM/S0s0Am-AoLw/s320/MaxFactorBkdg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max Factor Make-Up Studio and Museum, Hollywood.</td></tr></tbody></table>Originally called the Max Factor Make-Up Studios, and then the Max Factor Museum, the building has gone through several hands before arriving at its current incarnation as the Hollywood Museum, reopened in 2003. The museum has lovingly restored the ground floor to reflect the original look of how Mr. Factor himself designed the space, complete with multiple salons for clients and Hollywood royalty. Today it stands as a testament to a beauty empire as well as a tourist destination just steps away from the Hollywood walk of fame, and helps future generations form an appreciation for this pioneer of beauty.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7_zdsx-c6w/UXm1ooU35SI/AAAAAAAAAkc/k4C5yU0v_fQ/s1600/SheerGenius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N7_zdsx-c6w/UXm1ooU35SI/AAAAAAAAAkc/k4C5yU0v_fQ/s320/SheerGenius.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max Factor Museum,&nbsp; Sheer Genius, Hollywood.</td></tr></tbody></table>By far the most fascinating part of the museum, is the remaining original salons from the Max Factor era of the building. Learning about his history and dedication to glamor is very inspiring.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDEGBP8auaE/UXm1Ry-vA_I/AAAAAAAAAjs/AnZhc9iz1tM/s1600/Cosmetiques.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDEGBP8auaE/UXm1Ry-vA_I/AAAAAAAAAjs/AnZhc9iz1tM/s320/Cosmetiques.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max Factor Museum, Vintage Cosmetics, Hollywood.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Maksymilian Faktorowicawas born in Poland in 1877. After achieving success in wig styling in Russia, he migrated to the USA in 1904, settling in Los Angeles, changing his name and forming the Max Factor Company in 1909. Mr. Factor was a savvy business man, and saw an opportunity to provide made-to-order wigs and custom cosmetics to the growing film industry. Up until that point, most actors were using greasepaint, as it worked well on stage and in theater. However with the development and popularity of film, the industry was changing and so was the needs of the actors. He began experimenting with cosmetic compositions to come up with a formulation that would apply smoother and lighter to respond to the evolving technology. He achieved success with this in 1914, and was soon considered the authority on cosmetics, with movie stars flocking to use his product. His list of clients included Gloria Swanson, Jean Harlow, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Mae West, Marilyn Monroe, and Judy Garland. With his growing popularity and reputation he experienced increased success and continued to expand his line of cosmetics at a time when only movie stars and prostitutes wore cosmetics. It wasn't until the 1920's that, under pressure from his sons, Max Factor began to develop commercial cosmetics for public consumption, and began using the term "make-up" for a more mainstream appeal.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jDmB-D_CnPQ/UXm1l7M_IHI/AAAAAAAAAkU/C-cpj5P7SD4/s1600/SalonMarilyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jDmB-D_CnPQ/UXm1l7M_IHI/AAAAAAAAAkU/C-cpj5P7SD4/s320/SalonMarilyn.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max Factor Museum, Marylin dress, Hollywood.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thus it was in 1928, with an expanding empire, that Max Factor purchased the building on North Highland, designed by architect S. Charles Lee in the regency art deco style. Though due to to onset of the Great Depression, it would not be until 1935 before the building and its various salons would be open to the public.<br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JzlUjUBF7BI/UXm1LBPlwGI/AAAAAAAAAjk/1FtJrKu8swc/s1600/Blondes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JzlUjUBF7BI/UXm1LBPlwGI/AAAAAAAAAjk/1FtJrKu8swc/s320/Blondes.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max Factor Museum, Wigs and Beauty Accessories, Hollywood.</td></tr></tbody></table>One of the more interesting features of the studio is four specialized salons designed in specific colors to best flatter a client's complexion based on hair color. Each room is labeled "For Blondes Only" in shades of blue, redheads done is mint green, brunettes in dusty rose and brownettes in pale peach. Wig styles, make up palettes, and other beauty tools of the era are meticulously displayed. It is here where Lucille Ball entered as an aspiring blonde actress, and exited a redheaded icon.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S-jQPtwRyLw/UXm1Z_LXq0I/AAAAAAAAAj8/F9sKwAFLh8Q/s1600/LucilleBall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S-jQPtwRyLw/UXm1Z_LXq0I/AAAAAAAAAj8/F9sKwAFLh8Q/s320/LucilleBall.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max Factor Museum, Lucille Ball make-over, Hollywood.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">Also on view are countless photos and advertisements showing the widespread impact Mr. Factor had on the world of beauty, and how his diligence and resourcefulness helped shape the world of glamor and beauty that we know today. He really was a pioneer of beauty, which is clearly illustrated here in what was once his empire. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sCjkEGTN-8Q/UXm1qGuGzfI/AAAAAAAAAkk/R9bdyPF6mCw/s1600/WallOfFame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sCjkEGTN-8Q/UXm1qGuGzfI/AAAAAAAAAkk/R9bdyPF6mCw/s320/WallOfFame.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max Factor Museum, Wall-of-Fame, Hollywood.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">The Max Factor Museum is located in the Hollywood Museum at 1660 Highland Avenue at Hollywood Boulevard. For more info visit their website at:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.thehollywoodmuseum.com/">http://www.thehollywoodmuseum.com/</a></div>Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-54058406132382280542013-04-15T12:27:00.000-07:002013-04-15T12:28:41.849-07:00"Mail Art Month"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pZl9SIAhbO0/UWxDejyDulI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/TnsppdTew8U/s1600/MailArtCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pZl9SIAhbO0/UWxDejyDulI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/TnsppdTew8U/s320/MailArtCover.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mail Art by Alton DuLaney. April 2013.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />April is National Letter Writing Month, or as I prefer to call it, Mail Art Month. It is one of the many times during the year that I try to inspire others to write more letters and send more things via the poste, instead of just 'posting' something on-line. Yes, in this day of instant messaging, texting, and blow-by-blow FaceBook updates, there is still something to be said for the hand-written letter. A hand-written love letter is often a cherished and preserved keepsake. A text message with a smiley face - not so much. :(<br /><br />Letter writing is a great way to reconnect with an old friend, express your love for a romantic interest, and keep in touch with acquaintances around the world. It takes just a few minutes to write, and costs just a few cents to send, and for the recipient it is almost like getting a gift in the mail, gift wrap (the envelope) and all.&nbsp; But as well as expressing oneself in what one writes within the letter, there is the blank canvas of the envelope to be personalized, customized, and artistically expressed. Thus the creation of "Mail Art".<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMRKitGqQig/UWxBUzVE5QI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/mx9Q7VQvhVc/s1600/1MailBoxStationery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMRKitGqQig/UWxBUzVE5QI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/mx9Q7VQvhVc/s320/1MailBoxStationery.jpg" width="294" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mail Box" by Alton DuLaney, April 2013.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first thing to do to ensure success in any crafting endeavor is to gather all the materials. Being something of an organization aficionado, I like to group things. Here is a great tip for keeping all your letter writing materials together.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Create a "Mail Box", a designated box to hold all your cards, envelopes, scraps of deco paper and other stationery items. I covered mine in a sheet of deco paper which features vintage post cards. Just one glance into my crafting studio shelves, and my box of stationery is readily identifiable. When I am ready to send some mail, I just reach for my "Mail Box".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7TIpC7fCOCw/UWxBWvI0-9I/AAAAAAAAAiY/ljgF_NWz0LM/s1600/2PostOfficeBox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7TIpC7fCOCw/UWxBWvI0-9I/AAAAAAAAAiY/ljgF_NWz0LM/s320/2PostOfficeBox.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Post Office Box" by Alton DuLaney, April 2013.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On a similar note, I also am something of an amature stamp collector. Every time I am at the Post Office, I buy extra stamps of various denominations. Back in the studio, I toss them all in a re-purposed cigar box, which I have covered with washi tape in canceled post mark print. I like to call it my "Post Office Box". Then when it is time to send a letter, I spread out my stamps and choose the one (or ones) that best match the mail art, the mood, or the recipient. (I also have a friend who is a proper philatelist - stamp collector - who occasionally sends me some of his extra vintage stamps, which adds to the variety!) Keep in mind that there is more than one way to arrive at the proper postage to send a letter: you can use 1 44cent stamp or 44 1cent stamps. By varying the postage used, one adds to the artistic statement of the Mail Art. Also note that stamps of all denominations can be purchased on-line, saving you a trip to the post office and a wait in a long line.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now what is all this talk of Mail Art and how can a person go about turning a letter into a work of art? Simply put, Mail Art is transforming a basic card or letter into art by customizing it and embellishing it with some form of creative expression.&nbsp; Allow me to share a few simple things anyone can do to become a Mail Artists.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4PLyP5gb4g/UWxBSBSYyQI/AAAAAAAAAiI/67XB7aXJL3Q/s1600/3EnvLiners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B4PLyP5gb4g/UWxBSBSYyQI/AAAAAAAAAiI/67XB7aXJL3Q/s320/3EnvLiners.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Envelope Liners by Alton DuLaney April 2013.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>A quick and easy trick that can dress up any envelope is the envelope liner. You simply trace the shape of the open envelope onto the paper of your choice, trim with scissors, insert and secure with adhesive. When the recipient opens the envelope there is the added surprise of elegance, texture and color of the liner.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsPvDevACos/UWxBXyFIX8I/AAAAAAAAAig/QHibEFwXxBc/s1600/4EnvLinerBoughtCards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsPvDevACos/UWxBXyFIX8I/AAAAAAAAAig/QHibEFwXxBc/s320/4EnvLinerBoughtCards.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liners for Store-bought cards by Alton DuLaney April 2013.</td></tr></tbody></table>The envelope liner can be used on bank note cards or stationery, or as a way to dress up cards bought off the shelf. It is just one way to add a little something special to the letter sending process.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fefPlMSFQSQ/UWxBblkPgiI/AAAAAAAAAis/uPH5KbhgCY4/s1600/5EnvLinerWallPaper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fefPlMSFQSQ/UWxBblkPgiI/AAAAAAAAAis/uPH5KbhgCY4/s320/5EnvLinerWallPaper.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wallpaper Envelope Liners by Alton DuLaney April 2013.</td></tr></tbody></table>A variety of materials can be used to create the envelope liner. Above, I used wallpaper swatches to line envelopes with corresponding note cards. I have matched the patterns, creating customized sets.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1SrHIS-mEdY/UWxBenPWREI/AAAAAAAAAi0/j2W0K5CVJu0/s1600/6EnvLinersMaps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1SrHIS-mEdY/UWxBenPWREI/AAAAAAAAAi0/j2W0K5CVJu0/s320/6EnvLinersMaps.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map Envelope Liners by Alton DuLaney April 2013.</td></tr></tbody></table>For a more masculine touch, consider using readily available materials such as graph paper, air mail paper or old maps. Maps are especially clever when sending letters from abroad. Ex: When visiting NYC, use a subway map to make an envelope liner and send it to your friends back at home. It makes a great travel letter! A souvenir postcard can even be purchased and placed inside, heightening the experience.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-buN06R6aRo4/UWxBfPVcWKI/AAAAAAAAAi8/EInkfft4KVs/s1600/7EnvLinerDoiley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-buN06R6aRo4/UWxBfPVcWKI/AAAAAAAAAi8/EInkfft4KVs/s320/7EnvLinerDoiley.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doily Envelope Liners by Alton DuLaney April 2013.</td></tr></tbody></table>Another great trick I love to do it using a paper doily as an envelope liner. Packages of plain white doilies can be purchased at cooking supply stores or craft stores or colorful ones can be employed for holiday sentiment. A beautiful red foil doily used as an envelope liner really dresses up any Valentine's Day card. These are also great for weddings, showers, Mother's Day, etc.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ly4CqHnUZQs/UWxBjXddCyI/AAAAAAAAAjM/nQfrq1vzZO8/s1600/8CustomNoteCards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ly4CqHnUZQs/UWxBjXddCyI/AAAAAAAAAjM/nQfrq1vzZO8/s320/8CustomNoteCards.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note Card Sets by Alton DuLaney April 2013.</td></tr></tbody></table>Taking it all one step further, a design element from the deco paper can be isolated, cut out, and adhered to the note card and front of envelope, in addition to the liner, to make an overall creative and customized statement. Within a few minutes, a plain note card and envelope has been transformed into Mail Art!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7tGCFkG9ZJ8/UWxBipYX3fI/AAAAAAAAAjE/_wPFA99FCvI/s1600/9MailArt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7tGCFkG9ZJ8/UWxBipYX3fI/AAAAAAAAAjE/_wPFA99FCvI/s320/9MailArt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mail Art by Alton DuLaney April 2013.</td></tr></tbody></table>Once the basic concepts of embellishing stationery have been grasped, there is no limit to where the basic letter can be transformed into Mail Art, or where it can be sent, with proper postage of course.<br /><br />Above, I have used decorative tape from the Scotch Expressions line to create various Mail Art Masterpieces. On some, I use the stamp as the inspiration and decorate the envelope to match. On others I experiment with mixing decorative Washi tape with rubber stamping. I've used masking tape for solid coverage. (Masking, Washi and Magic tape can all be easily written on with permanent ink, making them easy to address.) In other cases I use Printed Packaging tape for a slick, glossy, coverage.(If Printed Packaging tape can dress up a box or parcel, imagine what it can do for the simple envelope!) Again, the only limit to the fun and self-expression one can have, is the imagination.<br /><br />So during this month of April, National Letter Writing Month a.k.a. Mail Art Month, I encourage everyone to put a smile on someone's face by putting a piece of Art in the Mail. Enjoy!<br /><br />To buy stamps on-line:<br /><a href="https://store.usps.com/store/browse/category.jsp?categoryId=catBuyStamps">https://store.usps.com/store/browse/category.jsp?categoryId=catBuyStamps</a><br /><br />Check out my class on the Written Word as part of PaperArts on Craftsy.com:<br /><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/lecture/The-Written-Word/259.html">http://www.craftsy.com/lecture/The-Written-Word/259.html</a>Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6636469360977856565.post-14797112953499789872012-12-09T14:07:00.000-08:002012-12-09T14:07:13.755-08:00"What's Your Wrap" - Traditional Home Magazine, December 2012<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HEBaDFke07k/UMT9FyM-RCI/AAAAAAAAAhc/EX0ZybCvvuA/s1600/TradHomeCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HEBaDFke07k/UMT9FyM-RCI/AAAAAAAAAhc/EX0ZybCvvuA/s320/TradHomeCover.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tradition Home Magazine, Dec 2012 Cover, "Perfect Packages"</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The holiday issue of Traditional Home magazine did an 8-page spread of fabulous and festive gift-wrap from "wrap artist extraordinaire Alton DuLaney"! It was a fun project to be a part of and the finished product is a beautiful portfolio of exquisite wraps.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-84lZhZzIhYE/UMT2R3GVlHI/AAAAAAAAAf8/YR7QjGk4ggo/s1600/Traditional+Home+Gift+Wrap+Story+2012-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-84lZhZzIhYE/UMT2R3GVlHI/AAAAAAAAAf8/YR7QjGk4ggo/s320/Traditional+Home+Gift+Wrap+Story+2012-2.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tradition Home December 2012 "What's Your Wrap" with Alton DuLaney</td></tr></tbody></table>"Put the present in presentation" has long been my motto when it comes to wrapping gifts for any occasion, as a proper wrap can turn any purchase into a thoughtful gift, by showing that you have taken the time to go the extra distance, and actually wrap it by hand. The paper, ribbon, bows, and embellishments, become paint on a canvas, materials to help execute a creative expression.<br /><br />&nbsp;For this story, Senior Style Editor Krissa Rossbund provided me with images of home decor pieces, and I was challenged with creating wraps that reflected the style and mood of the decor.<br /><br />Apparently, my efforts were successful - "DuLaney exemplifies artistry with parcels that achieve sculpture-like status. From wild to trendy to glamorous, their frills, finery, and finishing touches sing with the joy of gift-giving."<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c30hG_qrXuo/UMT2Vsh8tPI/AAAAAAAAAgE/rD9RKYQK6WY/s1600/Traditional+Home+Gift+Wrap+Story+2012-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c30hG_qrXuo/UMT2Vsh8tPI/AAAAAAAAAgE/rD9RKYQK6WY/s320/Traditional+Home+Gift+Wrap+Story+2012-3.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional wraps by Alton DuLaney, Traditional Home Dec 2012.</td></tr></tbody></table>For the "Traditional" theme, an armed chair is placed in front of a damask wallpaper. The wraps reflected this rich tradition, with baroque patterns, pleated paper, and embellished with fabric trims and tassels, confirming "that tradition and good taste are forever in style."<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HCCb0QDDScs/UMT2ZvfmcwI/AAAAAAAAAgM/w8wiwR65Rm4/s1600/Traditional+Home+Gift+Wrap+Story+2012-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HCCb0QDDScs/UMT2ZvfmcwI/AAAAAAAAAgM/w8wiwR65Rm4/s320/Traditional+Home+Gift+Wrap+Story+2012-4.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild wraps by Alton DuLaney, Traditional Home Dec 2012.</td></tr></tbody></table>The 'Wild' theme was particularly fun for me. Here I incorporated multiple layers of animal print, along with a zipper opening to reveal a second pattern below, and chains to embellish a ribbon and bow.<br /><br />"Animal patterns - untamed in the wilds of fashion and furniture - provide the perfect skin for an unexpected gift."<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCyXP294nVI/UMT2dfekvWI/AAAAAAAAAgU/GlcJG_hiSro/s1600/Traditional+Home+Gift+Wrap+Story+2012-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sCyXP294nVI/UMT2dfekvWI/AAAAAAAAAgU/GlcJG_hiSro/s320/Traditional+Home+Gift+Wrap+Story+2012-5.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glamorous wraps by Alton DuLaney, Traditional Home Dec 2012.</td></tr></tbody></table>Glamorous is such a gorgeous word, and something I strive for in both my personal and professional life. I also love a clean palette of black and white with a pop of ravishing red. A jewel encrusted mirror and sparkling wallpaper provided the perfect backdrop to explore the luxe life.<br /><br />"Following fashion's lead, ebony-patterned papers flocked in luxurious velvet, printed in party dress patterns, and bejeweled with glittery crystals sparkle like stars on a midnight clear"<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6sQMLvgz7NE/UMT2iQQPaMI/AAAAAAAAAgc/Qs-N-Glx35o/s1600/Traditional+Home+Gift+Wrap+Story+2012-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6sQMLvgz7NE/UMT2iQQPaMI/AAAAAAAAAgc/Qs-N-Glx35o/s320/Traditional+Home+Gift+Wrap+Story+2012-6.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful wraps by Alton DuLaney, Traditional Home Dec 2012</td></tr></tbody></table>'Colorful' is perhaps easy to attain, but for this theme I also wanted to add a touch of elegance, which I did by adding layers of shimmery ribbons atop bold patterned papers, "making packages merrily au courant". <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvxoJl3va8c/UMT2ldvJTJI/AAAAAAAAAgk/O_Ak-8h5cvY/s1600/Traditional+Home+Gift+Wrap+Story+2012-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvxoJl3va8c/UMT2ldvJTJI/AAAAAAAAAgk/O_Ak-8h5cvY/s320/Traditional+Home+Gift+Wrap+Story+2012-7.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trendy wraps by Alton DuLaney, Traditional Home Dec 2012.</td></tr></tbody></table>For 'Trendy", I really wanted to have some fun, so I played with varying scales of hounds-tooth, a hand-cut silhouette in black on silver paper, and embellished a peacock printed paper in one of my favorite materials - feathers! <br /><br />Traditional Home called it: A "riff on chic fads for your favorite fashionista."<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pucI11GyBmY/UMT2pAAl8oI/AAAAAAAAAgs/0BD8i8vhymk/s1600/Traditional+Home+Gift+Wrap+Story+2012-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pucI11GyBmY/UMT2pAAl8oI/AAAAAAAAAgs/0BD8i8vhymk/s320/Traditional+Home+Gift+Wrap+Story+2012-8.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic wraps by Alton DuLaney, Traditional Home Dec 2012.</td></tr></tbody></table>Classic is a word that means different things to different people, but when it comes to fine china, classic defines the genre. For this theme I used the Blue Willow pattern as a leaping point and then wrapped various hat-boxes ready for hanging on the wall or admiring under a holiday tree.<br /><br />"The beloved combination of blue and white is perennially in style."<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tI3idcQ7jlw/UMT2tYKKpJI/AAAAAAAAAg0/ew7Ieb1DHiQ/s1600/Traditional+Home+Gift+Wrap+Story+2012-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tI3idcQ7jlw/UMT2tYKKpJI/AAAAAAAAAg0/ew7Ieb1DHiQ/s320/Traditional+Home+Gift+Wrap+Story+2012-9.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modern wraps by Alton DuLaney, Traditional Home Dec 2012.</td></tr></tbody></table>The last theme, 'Modern' sounds the cleanest and simplest yet proved the greatest challenge to create stark elegance without being boring. I relied on the old art-school dictum and design dictate that less is sometimes more when observing pure line and form. Traditional Home agreed, "One of modernism's precepts is that even in its simplest form, a graphic element makes a statement", which my wraps clearly do in this image.<br /><br />Overall, I wrapped nearly 50 gifts for this story, which the talented team at Traditional Home turned into an inspiring editorial of couture gift-wrap, with Rossbund heralding me as a "paper virtuoso".<br /><br />Coming from a background in fine arts, and with a love of home decor, this was a rewarding collaboration, an amalgamation of beauty and design.<br /><br />For the whole story, pick up a copy at your favorite news stand, or check out the Traditional Home website at:<br /><a href="http://www.traditionalhome.com/design_decorating/howwelive/gorgeous-gift-wrap-style-guide_ss1.html">http://www.traditionalhome.com/design_decorating/howwelive/gorgeous-gift-wrap-style-guide_ss1.html</a><br /><br />Special thanks to my friends at The Feather Place, (in LA and NYC) for providing me with the finest peacock feathers. They carry the largest feather inventory in the US if not the world:<br /><a href="http://www.featherplace.com/">http://www.featherplace.com/</a><br /><br />And in case you forgot, I teach an on-line gift wrap class that will help you put the present in presentation:<br /><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/Paper-Arts/25">http://www.craftsy.com/class/Paper-Arts/25</a>Alton On The Spothttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17450226605540484089noreply@blogger.com0